Every election cycle, the same strategy appears.

Local Democrats across the country try to energize their base while reassuring swing voters that they are not like the politicians seen on cable news from Washington.

But that message may be harder to sell this year, especially as policies long championed by progressive leaders, including Zohran Mamdani, move from theory to implementation in major cities.

Can candidates really distance themselves from the national party brand, or does the label follow them anyway?

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.