Do Virginia Democrats have a mandate following big election wins? 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Following big election wins last week, do Democrats have a mandate or overwhelming support to enact their policy priorities? 

Randolph-Macon Political Science Professor Rich Meagher thinks so. 

“Having a swing that big, having a victory margin that big, like that, it really justifies taking your party's ideas out for a spin a little bit,” Meagher told 8News. 

As for how Democrats plan to accomplish that change? Meagher argues that Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will likely try to keep Democrats focused on many of the rather moderate issues she discussed during her campaign, like lowering the cost of living, improving education and protecting reproductive rights. 

“The advantage for Democrats in sticking to the themes of the campaign and carrying that forward would be, you know, being able to point to promises delivered, we talked about this and we did it, we stayed focused on it,” Meagher said.

However, Meagher said the challenge for Democrats will be appealing to some members of their own party who might want them to pursue more liberal stances on topics like transgender rights and labor issues. 

“There are folks in their coalition who want more than just what Abigail Spanberger talked about on the campaign trail. So the real trick is, can you stay focused on the themes from the campaign trail, but deliver also to your base, to your core constituencies,” Meagher told 8News. 

When asked about the idea of a mandate on Nov. 6, Governor-elect Spanberger said she remains focused on what she talked about on the campaign trail, including lowering the cost of housing, energy and healthcare.