HENRICO COUNTY, Va., 2025-06-20 02:16:00
Democrats Eyeing a return to the Winning Formula of 2018
Two Democratic women, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, are echoing a familiar campaign message as they vie for governor, aiming to tap into the successful strategies used in 2018.
- Abigail Spanberger and mikie Sherrill, both running for governor, are mirroring the campaigns of center-left Democrats who flipped House control in 2018.
- Both candidates are emphasizing their ability to transcend political divides and appeal to a broad electorate.
- The strategy includes highlighting candidates with national security and diverse backgrounds, resonating with voters beyond party lines.
Abigail Spanberger launched her Virginia gubernatorial bid on Wednesday, revisiting her high school, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill is doing the same in New Jersey. Both are banking on a successful return to the strategies that helped Democrats gain ground during the Trump administration’s first term.the core of their message: They are Democrats who can move past the discord of Washington, D.C.
For Democrats, the campaigns of Spanberger and Sherrill are reminders of what worked during the 2018 midterm elections. that year, center-left Democrats flipped control of the House from Republicans by appealing to moderates, progressives, and even anti-Trump conservatives. Now,these candidates hope to replicate this success on a statewide level as they look ahead to next year’s midterms.
“There are a lot of similarities” between the current democratic position and the 2018 campaigns, according to Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., who was the House democrats’ campaign arm chair during Trump’s first midterm election cycle.
Did you know?-The 2018 midterm elections saw the highest voter turnout for a midterm as 1914. This surge in participation was attributed to increased political engagement across various demographics.
The 2018 freshman class saw a net gain of 40 seats.It included a record number of women and many candidates with backgrounds in national security and business. A similar effort led to a net gain of six governors.
While progressives such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar were also successful, the balance of power shifted as of centrist candidates. They gained support in the suburbs and improved Democrats’ performance in exurbs and even small-town, GOP-dominated areas.
Spanberger’s and Sherrill’s colleagues in the freshman class included Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst; Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army officer; and Rep. Angie Craig. Crow is now co-chairman of candidate recruitment for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Reader question:-How much does a candidate’s prior experience in fields like national security or the military influence your voting decision? Does it depend on the specific office they are seeking?
Bridget Brink, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, is another example of a candidate leaning into her international experience to counter Trump. These candidates are focused on recruiting “real people, regular folks” with “unbelievable credentials” and the ability to “hold a real conversation with people around economic issues … around the kitchen table,” according to Luján.
Sherrill has described her Republican rival as a “Trump lackey,” and Spanberger has pledged to “defeat Trump’s agenda at the ballot box,” their broader appeal relies on different arguments.
Sherrill emphasizes her Naval Academy background, her time as a Navy Sea King helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four. Spanberger, who was part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, highlights her centrist approach. She promises to confront economic gaps and campaign in every Virginia congressional district, including areas where Trump has strong support.
“It’s not the job of the governor of Virginia to cater to President Trump,” Spanberger said in one of her final primary campaign speeches.”It’s not the job of the governor of Virginia to cater to a political party.”
spanberger has also been critical of President Joe Biden, saying in an Associated Press interview that he was “posturing” by promising to eliminate student debt, a promise she believed he couldn’t keep on his own. Spanberger also stated that her goals are set by the question, “How do I impact the most people in the fastest way possible?”
Jared Leopold, a Democratic strategist who worked for the Democratic Governors Association during the 2018 cycle, finds it notable that Spanberger and Sherrill avoid becoming entangled in the internal party debates. “Most voters aren’t really thinking about things along a simple left-right political spectrum,” Leopold said,especially in statewide races. “People are looking for politicians who they think understand them and can get things done to help them.”
He points to Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer,who rose to national prominence as a state legislator who spoke out about abortion rights. She became a powerhouse in the governor’s race with the simple slogan: “Fix the damn roads!”
The military and national security experience helps neutralize routine Republican attacks. “These credentials for how they’ve served the country – they’re just sharing who they are,” Luján said.
Leopold said, “It certainly gives a different definition of what the Democratic Party is to some voters.”
In Virginia, Republican nominee and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is trying to link Spanberger to her national party. Earle-Sears frequently shares pictures of Spanberger and Biden. She accuses Spanberger of rubber-stamping Biden’s legislative agenda while in Congress.
“Part of the challenge,” Spanberger retorts, “is that either my opponent or people who might be running anywhere, who don’t necessarily have things to run on, are going to try and distract.”
Spanberger, Sherrill and Democrats like them hope that voters will assess the GOP attacks and their branding efforts as Fred Martucci did. The 75-year-old expressed a visceral distaste for Trump. As for what impresses him about Sherrill, he said: “She was a Navy helicopter pilot. You can’t be a dummy – she’s sharp.”
Unpacking the 2018 playbook: Beyond the Headlines
The 2018 midterm elections are frequently cited as a blueprint for Democrats’ strategies in upcoming races, as seen with the campaigns of Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill [[1]].But what exactly made 2018 a winning year, and how are Democrats hoping to apply those lessons today? Beyond the headline of “flipping the house,” the real success lies in understanding the nuanced approach that resonated with a broad electorate. A key component was recognizing that many voters were seeking solutions, not necessarily ideological purity.
The Winning Ingredients of 2018
Several factors converged in 2018 to create a perfect storm for Democrats.
- Focus on Moderates: candidates successfully appealed to moderate voters. Rather than emphasizing purely progressive policies, they focused on common ground.
- Emphasis on National Security: The presence of candidates with backgrounds in national security and military service helped to neutralize attacks, drawing support from a diverse range of voters.
- Targeted Outreach: Campaigns specifically targeted suburban and exurban areas. These focused efforts were crucial in challenging the traditional dominance of more Republican-leaning areas.
the shift in power relied on more than just a “blue wave.” It was about connecting with voters on a personal level, nonetheless of their party affiliation. Candidates like Elissa Slotkin and jason Crow – as highlighted in the initial article, showcasing their backgrounds – were central to this message [[1]]. Rather of simply reacting to the opposition, this formula involved proactively constructing a narrative that resonated with swing voters.
The Allure of “Real Peopel”
As noted by various sources, the emphasis on recruiting “real people, regular folks” with diverse backgrounds was an essential strategy – drawing strength from credentials and lived experiences [[1]]. This approach aimed to counter the perception of politics as an elite game, rather presenting candidates as relatable individuals who could understand everyday concerns. This strategy is also helping to combat attacks from the opposition, as experienced by Sherrill and Spanberger.
How can this translate to current campaigns? Candidates can highlight prior experience, focus on kitchen-table economics, and concentrate on relatable issues to connect with a broader base. Moreover, emphasizing pragmatism over ideology can attract voters looking for effective solutions. With the goal of focusing on the most pressing issues and finding common grounds to propel growth, the campaigns also work to create momentum and ensure a return to office.
Addressing Common Questions
Many people are increasingly interested in these approaches, and they frequently enough have simple questions. Hear are some speedy answers:
Did the 2018 strategy guarantee success?
No, it didn’t guarantee victory. The 2018 midterm elections saw the highest voter turnout for a midterm since 1914 [[1]]. It’s a strategic model that, when executed effectively, can increase a political party’s performance considerably. Campaign-specific execution and responsiveness to unexpected events are still vital.
What specific issues resonated in 2018?
Economic concerns, healthcare, and social justice were key drivers. However, candidates often framed these issues in terms of practical solutions rather than abstract ideological debates, similar to Gretchen Whitmer’s “Fix the damn roads!” mantra [[1]].
How does this strategy apply to statewide races?
Statewide races often involve a broader and more diverse electorate than national elections, making the appeal of relatable candidates more vital. State-level candidates can and should promote their personal skills and credentials, as well as focus on state-specific challenges like education, infrastructure, and local economies, to distinguish their message.
Is this a long-term strategy?
The emphasis on relating with voters, showcasing a candidate’s background, and focusing on real-world solutions is generally a enduring approach in politics. It allows candidates to adapt their messaging based on the issues most importent to the voters and helps them to combat mischaracterizations of their background.
Table of Contents
