What the results of the Virginia race could now mean for Democrats at large


The Virginia governor's race wasn't called yet 24 hours ago, but news outlets and strategists alike are already spelling out what Republican Glenn Youngkin's highly-watched win over Democrat Terry McAuliffe means for the fate of Democrats nationwide.
In one example, The Washington Post has posited Youngkin's victory to have cemented the return of Virginia as a swing state. "Virginia was a purple state for quite some time and was always a purple state underneath," Ben Tribbett, a Democratic consultant, told the Post. "But in the Trump era, we became a blue state in reaction to his policies. We will go back to being a swing state going forward." Perhaps a Democratic "safe harbor" no more.
In another, the Post estimates "reeling" Democrats are now reckoning with a soon-to-be-realized threat to their Congressional majorities, as an unexpectedly-tight governor's race in New Jersey and the spurning of a progressive police reform effort in Minneapolis meanwhile undermine the difficulty facing the party. Now, say officials, Democrats must improve their "economic pitch"; connect with young voters, voters of color, and women; and recruit a "more diverse slate" of candidates to perhaps attack the problem and their loss in Virginia, writes the Post.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Additionally, The New York Times argues Democrats floundered without the foil of former President Donald Trump to run against. To that end, other strategists are now calling on Democrats to reevaluate whether a Trump-centric focus is their best election bet.
And, on top of it all, President Biden's key economic agenda has yet to be passed, making it impossible to tout the party's accomplishments. A win could perhaps lie in getting that legislation across the finish line, though it might be even tougher now. Said pollster Josh Ulibarri: "If there's not an economic reason to vote for us, there's not a reason to vote for Democrats."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 20, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Pam Bondi, retirement planning, and more
By The Week US
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
The anger fueling the Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez barnstorming tour
Talking Points The duo is drawing big anti-Trump crowds in red states
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
13 potential 2028 presidential candidates for both major parties
In Depth A rare open primary for both parties has a large number of people considering a run for president
By David Faris
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US