Spanberger, Sherrill Revive Centrist Blueprint vs. Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill are leaning into centrist, service-driven messaging in their 2025 gubernatorial races. Their strategy mirrors the successful 2018 campaign approach that countered Trump’s first term — a playbook the party hopes will work again.
Democratic Midterm Blueprint + Quick Looks:
- Spanberger launches Virginia campaign at her former high school.
- Sherrill’s New Jersey pitch highlights military, prosecutor background.
- Both candidates promote centrist credentials and practical policy goals.
- Democrats echo 2018 midterm messaging: moderate tone, service resumes.
- 2018 strategy brought record wins in suburbs, exurbs.
- Trump’s renewed agenda drives Democratic opposition strategy.
- National Dems see candidates as model for 2026 races.
- Military, CIA, and business resumes bolster credibility with voters.
Spanberger, Sherrill Revive Centrist Blueprint vs. Trump
Deep Look
In two high-stakes governor’s races, Democrats are deploying a time-tested strategy — the same centrist, service-driven messaging that powered their 2018 midterm resurgence — to counteract the shadow of Donald Trump’s return to power.
In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger launched her general election campaign with a personal, understated ad filmed at her high school alma mater near Richmond. She referenced her time as a CIA case officer and her service in Congress, where she built a reputation as a moderate willing to cut through partisan gridlock.
Meanwhile in New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill is following a similar playbook. A Navy veteran, former prosecutor, and mother of four, Sherrill is positioning herself as a pragmatic problem-solver. Her campaign visuals, featuring a helicopter above her name, emphasize her military service. Her message is framed around economic relief — she’s pushing an “Affordability Agenda.”
Both women were part of the Democratic wave of 2018 that flipped control of the U.S. House from Republicans. That freshman class included numerous veterans, former intelligence officials, and professionals from outside politics — a strategy that helped Democrats make inroads in suburban and exurban communities, while countering GOP attacks about liberal overreach.
Spanberger and Sherrill are now leading statewide tickets and modeling a path Democrats hope to follow into the 2026 midterms: focus on competence, downplay intraparty disputes, and lean into service and moderation over ideological purity.
“There are a lot of similarities” to 2018, said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), who led the House Democratic campaign arm during Trump’s first term. “We’ve been recruiting real people with real credentials.”
This year’s slate already reflects that ethos. In Michigan, for instance, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has launched a congressional bid for a seat vacated by fellow 2018 alum Sen. Elissa Slotkin, citing her global experience as a counterweight to Trump.
The approach helped Democrats build broad coalitions in 2018 — combining moderate appeal with credibility on national security. And it’s visible again in how Spanberger and Sherrill frame their Republican opponents.
Sherrill has labeled GOP rival Jack Ciattarelli a “Trump lackey,” while Spanberger emphasizes her independence, promising to campaign in every corner of Virginia — even in conservative strongholds. “It’s not the job of the governor of Virginia to cater to President Trump or any political party,” she said in a recent speech.
Spanberger’s pragmatism also extends to critiques of her own party. She publicly rebuked President Joe Biden for “posturing” on student debt forgiveness, criticizing unrealistic promises. Asked about her ideological position, she instead framed her focus in practical terms: “How do I impact the most people in the fastest way possible?”
Strategist Jared Leopold, a senior Democratic Governors Association advisor in 2018, praised Spanberger and Sherrill for sidestepping ideological labels. “Most voters aren’t thinking left vs. right,” he said. “They want someone who gets them — and gets things done.”
He pointed to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, another 2018 breakout star, who became a national figure with her straightforward promise to “Fix the damn roads.” That clarity and focus, he said, made her relatable even beyond her policy goals.
And while Republicans continue to try tethering Democrats to national party figures — Virginia’s GOP nominee, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, regularly shares old photos of Spanberger and Biden together — Democrats like Spanberger push back. “They’re trying to distract,” she said. “They don’t have anything else to run on.”
Spanberger and Sherrill’s efforts are resonating with voters like Fred Martucci, a retired tradesman from Trenton, New Jersey. “She was a Navy helicopter pilot,” he said of Sherrill. “You can’t be a dummy — she’s sharp.”
With Trump’s presence dominating headlines again and his policy agenda taking shape, Democrats hope their 2018-tested formula — relatable, moderate candidates with credible records of service — will counter the chaos and appeal to the vast swath of Americans exhausted by political extremes.
As Spanberger and Sherrill step into the national spotlight again, they’re not just running for governor — they’re also testing a renewed strategy for how Democrats win in Trump 2.0 America.
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