Can Democrats use class politics to steal Trump's thunder?

In West Virginia, Richard Ojeda might be blazing a trail for a new generation of Democrats

Richard Ojeda.
(Image credit: Illustrated | AP Photo/John Raby)

In West Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, it appears the Democratic Party's political fortunes have improved sharply over the last two years. In a district that both President Trump and incumbent Republican Rep. Evan Jenkins won by about 50 points, Democratic challenger state Sen. Richard Ojeda is polling two points ahead of his Republican opponent Del. Carol Miller (Jenkins tried for the Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin, but lost the primary).

The overwhelmingly likely reason? Ojeda's class politics. It raises an interesting possibility: Can other Democrats adapt his strategy to steal Trump's class politics? The extant party leadership probably won't be able to do it, but if Ojeda can pull out a victory in this ludicrously lopsided district, he could blaze a trail for a new generation of Democrats.

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Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.