The change was validated by the Democratic victories in 2018, when some of those organized groups and their allies within the party provided much of the new energy and excitement that carried the day. The result is that inside the party it now seems normal and natural for Democrats to choose a gun-control activist as a Senate candidate in Arizona. In fact, Kelly is the mainstream Democrat, recruited by the national party; it’s still possible he’ll have a more liberal party opponent. That is, being outspoken on guns is now entirely compatible with being heavily recruited by Democrats who care most about winning.