NEW YORK — After scoring sweeping wins in this week’s off-year elections, Democrats hope to paper over their internal differences and ride a message of resistance to President Donald Trump to more big gains in the crucial 2026 midterm congressional contests, even without a clear national leader or any unified policy strategy.

With Trump more unpopular than ever, moderate Democrats like New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill romped to victory in swingy suburbs while Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, energized young voters with calls for free buses and rent freezes in deep-blue New York City.

Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger proclaimed a victory of “pragmatism over partisanship” after her outsized win, which included shifts in the Democratic direction

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