Others in the party, both in Missouri and nationally, have echoed that sentiment, after watching the Republicans snatch away what had been a key Democratic voting bloc since the days of Bill Clinton.

“People, in their frustration, supported people who will be actively working against their interests,” said Temple, referring to working-class voters. “Certainly, the Democrats need to be more effective at articulating that.”

They may get that chance right off the bat, with the expected Republican move to make Missouri a “right to work” state, weakening the bargaining power of labor unions. It’s part of a national partisan battle, with Republicans claiming it will create jobs and Democrats warning it will lower wages.

The GOP-led Legislature has been trying for years to institute right to work over the opposition of Nixon, the outgoing Democratic governor. Republican Governor-elect Eric Greitens made his support for it a central pillar of his campaign.

For the new, all-Republican Missouri government not to press it into law, and quickly, would be a startling backtrack. But in doing it, they could find themselves at odds with many of the blue-collar supporters who put them into office.