What effect will the 2017 VA/NJ/NYC elections have on 2018 midterms?

[Suburbia]

Will the 2017 Democratic Party sweep have an effect on 2018 midterms? Will it matter?

[Virginiá]

The HoD swing does matter. This kind of massive flip in seats does not happen in a neutral or even near neutral environment. A ton of incumbents lost tonight, which shows some pretty visceral anti-GOP behavior.

I would also think that this may encourage one or two more GOP House incumbents to retire or try for another race (like Comstock), so that alone would help Democrats.

[Yank2133]

The HoD swing does matter. This kind of massive flip in seats does not happen in a neutral or even near neutral environment. A ton of incumbents lost tonight, which shows some pretty visceral anti-GOP behavior.

I would also think that this may encourage one or two more GOP House incumbents to retire or try for another race (like Comstock), so that alone would help Democrats.

Comstock should either retire or run for the senate.

[Orser67]

It might convince a few more Republican incumbents to retire and convince a few more strong Democratic recruits to run. Replace "a few more" with "dozens" if we're talking about state legislative elections.

[Vern]

It shows that VA is a lean democratic state now

[Reaganfan]

It shows that VA is a lean democratic state now

This. Even in Presidential years. If a Republican wins over 300 electoral votes without Virginia flipping (and it wasn't because of Tim Kaine) then Virginia is gone for GOP.

[SoLongAtlas]

It shows that VA is a lean democratic state now

NoVA, Richmond, and Tidewater pull (Urban crescent). However, it is still rural and Trump areas outside of that with huge economic concerns and brain drain, esp. SW. Almost every house down there had like 5 Trump signs in their front yards, many Confederate flags.

I feel that the GOP will dig in on Trumpism and you will see an exponential rise of us ("real Virginians") vs. NoVA/Richmond/Tidewater ("fake Virginians") even more than now. And yes, that is how GOP consultants and candidates refer to downstate, as ReVA to contrast from NoVA. It is sad and pathetic.

[Gass3268]

1. Expect more Republican retirements.
2. Expect more Democrats to jump into races.
3. Expect more resistance by blue state Republicans to the current tax bill and less incentives for Democrats to jump on board.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

Prediction: Republican donors (e.g., Kochs) will go hard in Virginia and other states with off-year elections (Louisiana, Kentucky) to win back losses from 2017/2015 and avert any other losses.

[Illiniwek]

It might be telling / a sign of things to come, but its not going to affect anything.

[Skill and Chance]

Cautiously encouraging for Dems in states and districts that swung to Clinton in 2016.

[MAINEiac4434]

Republicans with small victories in every state legislature are now quaking in their boots.

[Mr. Illini]

It may make the DNC and its arms (DCCC, DSCC, etc) more bullish in hard-to-win areas. We'll see if it prompts any money in Alabama.

[Hydera]

Just like 2009, its a sign of a wave thats going to be happen next year. That being said i wouldn't be too hopeful considering democrats need time to recover in rural areas. For now the house leans republican.