Combative Democrats Channel Voter Rage as They Embrace Populism

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) represents one of the country’s most competitive districts, the kind where candidates historically appealed to moderate voters by presenting as even-keeled, pragmatic, and focused on compromise.

That’s changing. Amid widespread disgust at the status quo in politics and the economy, candidates and officials across the Democratic party are embracing a combative, populist approach.

“The first thing to understand is how angry people are,” Landsman said in an interview. “Unless you’re part of the one percent, you’re pissed off. They do want big change. They want somebody who’s going to go kick in the door and flip ...