The big picture: Even as Democrats celebrated late Tuesday, it was clear the results didn't settle the Democratic Party's civil war over the best way to move forward after its crushing losses in 2024. Progressive and moderate Democrats both emerged with genuine measures of victory Tuesday - and they're already wielding it as evidence that it's their side that should lead the party out of the wilderness in 2026 and 2028. Progressives in New York City and California fired up their base to elect Mamdani, and to redraw California's congressional map to help Democrats' push to flip five U.S. House seats next year.
