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Yet, somewhere along the way, that progressive momentum faded. Democrats shifted to centrist messaging, chasing an elusive �����Ƶ�middle ground�����Ƶ� that often sacrificed the bold ideas and grassroots connection that Appalachians once rallied behind. �����Ƶ a result, the region has become fertile ground for politicians who exploit divisions and sell out working people while promising nothing more than empty rhetoric.

The truth is, Appalachians care deeply about the same issues progressives champion: education, infrastructure, health care, and economic opportunity. I�����Ƶ�ve seen this firsthand. Over three election cycles, I�����Ƶ�ve canvassed across my own community in Eastern Kentucky, going door-to-door, attending community events, and listening to thousands of voters. When I asked what mattered most, the answers were remarkably consistent: better schools, safer roads, access to quality health care, and more jobs that pay a living wage.

Even when speaking with Trump voters, I found common ground on issues like legalizing marijuana, expanding health care access, and addressing the affordable housing crisis. These so-called �����Ƶ�radical�����Ƶ� ideas aren�����Ƶ�t radical at all �����Ƶ� they�����Ƶ�re what people in Appalachia need and want. The disconnect isn�����Ƶ�t with the policies; it�����Ƶ�s with how those policies are communicated.

To win back Appalachia, Democrats must reject the narrative that progressive ideas won�����Ƶ�t resonate here. Instead, they must embrace the race/class narrative, which acknowledges that race and class are deeply intertwined in shaping the experiences and struggles of working people. This narrative doesn�����Ƶ�t shy away from conversations about racial justice; it ties those struggles to the broader fight for economic and social equality, demonstrating that policies that uplift marginalized communities ultimately benefit everyone.

For example, addressing systemic inequities in education helps rural and urban schools alike. Expanding health care access ensures no one has to choose between paying rent or buying life-saving medication. Fighting for workers�����Ƶ� rights means standing with coal miners and service workers. These are messages that can unite communities rather than divide them �����Ƶ� that is, if we�����Ƶ�re bold enough to lead with them.

In both West Virginia and Kentucky, Democrats have a chance to reclaim their place as the party of the people. That starts with running candidates who aren�����Ƶ�t afraid to challenge the status quo. It means knocking on doors, attending community events, meeting people where they are and having real conversations about the issues that matter. It means acknowledging that the powers that be want to divide us �����Ƶ� by race, by class, by geography �����Ƶ� and refusing to let them win.

The progressive spirit of Appalachia is still alive. It�����Ƶ�s in the teachers striking for fair pay, the neighbors helping neighbors rebuild after floods, and the workers demanding better conditions. Democrats must tap into that energy, not by watering down their ideas but by championing policies that meet people�����Ƶ�s needs and speaking to the shared struggles that unite us.

Appalachia has always been a place of resilience, solidarity, and hope. If Democrats want to win here, they need to stop running from that history and start building on it