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Nine months into Donald Trump’s second presidency, Democrats remain split over identity, embodied by Abigail Spanberger’s moderate approach and Zohran Mamdani’s ascendant democratic socialism. As Mamdani, fresh off a shock primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York, seeks a mayoral mandate, Spanberger warns that big promises risk disillusioning voters and touts her viability in Virginia. Party leaders downplay Mamdani as a national model, even as figures like Ro Khanna praise his youth appeal. The question lingers: can both visions coexist as key races near?

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.