Kansas’ 3rd District was recently thrust into the national spotlight as the latest battleground for the soul of the Democratic Party. While local Democrats are divided over the best strategy for the general election, they agree on one thing: It’s a district they have to win to take back the House.

“This is a good example of very ripe territory for Democrats,” said one Democratic operative involved in the race. “And if Democrats are not winning here in November, that’s a very bad sign.”

The 3rd is one of two dozen Republican-held seats that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016, backing her by 1 point. Before Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder won the seat in 2010, voters here sent moderate Democrat Dennis Moore to Congress for 12 years.

Like other Democratic primaries nationwide, the contest in the Kansas City metropolitan area has centered on what kind of candidate can best defeat the GOP incumbent, in this case Yoder.

Ahead of the Aug. 7 primary, the six Democrats running are largely aligned on ideology, but differ in style and rhetoric, igniting a familiar debate over whether moderate candidates or bold liberals make better challengers. Candidates have also differed on tactics, with some bringing in national figures and getting help from outside groups, and others keeping the focus local.