James Talarico on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/The Austin American-Statesman/Getty Images
The smartest thing the Democrats could do is endeavor to keep that door open. To maintain control in a blessedly post-Trump future, the party will need a unifying strategy beyond opposition to just one man. They will need a vision that moves beyond wedge issues and a coalition that is not dogmatic (and yes, I realize the irony in using this word). They will need, quite literally, some faith — by which I mean faith voters. “One of the big lessons of this election is that Democrats can expand the democracy-supporting coalition by including people of faith,” Pagitt, the Minnesota pastor, tells me. “The answer is not to make the party more religious, or to rely on running religious candidates. The goal is significant outreach to the many communities that make up the fabric of our society, and real inclusion of them.”