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Senate candidates Michael Hansen and Roy Moore might not see eye-to-eye, but they're attracting the same type of voters.

U.S. Senate candidate Michael Hansen is the most significant threat the old guard of the Alabama Democratic Party has seen in quite some time. He also has a creative streak that's allowing him to punch far outside his political weight class.

To be clear, a Republican will almost certainly win the special election. That doesn't mean the Democratic primary is pointless. At stake is the future of the Democratic Party in Alabama.

We benefit from meaningful political choices, and Alabamians simply don't have them right now. A Republican speaker, governor and chief justice are forced out of office within a year, yet Democrats remain politically irrelevant. By that measure, Joe Reed, Nancy Worley and the rest of the party bosses have failed miserably.

"I haven't even heard from the party," said Hansen. "They might as well not exist--no assistance, advice, or anything. The county parties are carrying all the weight."

For years, many high profile Democrats have essentially run as "social conservatives" who don't mind raising taxes, expanding Medicaid, or instituting a lottery. They've struggled to gain traction mostly because we already have plenty of Republicans who largely fit that description.

Hansen supports a higher minimum wage, he's for universal health coverage, and he's an ardent advocate for LGBT rights. If we're putting him in a box, he's a "progressive liberal."

At the same time, he's a pragmatist willing to tear that box to shreds if it means we're actually able to solve some of our common problems.

"We often agree on the 'what,' but things start to break down on the 'how.'" For example, Hansen points to his basic belief that "working people deserve to get paid." Most people agree with that sentiment; they simply disagree on how to get there. While a higher minimum wage is his starting point, Hansen is open to any ideas to improve wages for workers.

In short, Hansen sees the world in terms of problems, conversations and solutions instead of hardened partisan encampments. It's a refreshing perspective.

But, according to Hansen, the old Democratic guard isn't exactly welcoming him to the party. He recounted several instances of Democrats arguing that a gay candidate can't beat the eventual Republican nominee. "They're trying to get away with being homophobic by blaming Republicans," said Hansen. In fact, Hansen finds that Alabama's Democratic elite struggle with the very racism and cronyism that they rail against in Republicans.

Hansen wants Democrats to offer a clear alternative to Republicans rather than a mushy, politically-manicured "Republican lite."

"Among the Republicans in the race, we have the most overlap with Roy Moore supporters in our polling," said Hansen "People are angry and fed up with politicians trying to feed them a line."

Most of us might be surprised to hear that Moore and an openly gay candidate have similar appeal, but each dishes out the unfiltered direct engagement that voters seem to crave right now.

It's also worth noting that Hansen was the only Democratic candidate to reach out to me. We've been on the opposite side of any number of political issues, but neither of us is afraid to search for common ground. Over the years, we've developed a friendship in spite of the fact our ideological starting points and political leanings couldn't be further apart.

"The other Democratic candidates are not sitting down with people like you," said Hansen. "They're not trying to engage everyone. It's an old partisan refrain that isn't successful." There simply aren't enough Democrats in Alabama right now to win a statewide election without help from some Republican voters.

The old guard isn't going quietly, and Hansen has an uphill battle to win the Democratic primary. Attorney Doug Jones is likely a favorite given his fundraising capacity and sterling professional career.

"Win, lose or runoff, we've proven that you can do a lot with a little," said Hansen.

Hansen's ecumenical approach and pragmatic flair need to take root in the Democratic Party. He doesn't have the money. He doesn't have the political pedigree. He is focused on helping the average Alabamian in a way that politicians from both parties should note.

Hansen's success or failure won't be decided by the primary vote tally. He'll have won if he opens the door for a new generation of Alabama Democrats tired of failed leaders telling them to wait their turn.

Cameron Smith is a regular columnist for AL.com.