washington solidly republican south suddenly look little less solid tuesday upset win democrat doug jones alabama couple last month democratic sweep virginia give party new optimism 2018 prospect south conservative heavily rural regions republicans dominate decades jones former federal prosecutor take advantage controversy sexual misconduct allegations republican opponent roy moore become first democrat elect u.s. senate alabama quarter-century jones campaign also offer template democrats win south strategists say field strong candidate crank turnout among region sizable bloc african-american voters keep liberal national party brand arm length compete hard every county region add grass-roots energy liberal resistance president donald trump disaffection moderate suburbanites turn trump conservative wing sap enthusiasm republican infighting democrats see opportunity bright future south start next year midterm elections hear republican wall south crack doug jones virginia begin say phil noble democratic business technology consultant run governor south carolina republicans convince cite years still unrealized democratic predictions demographic change would turn republican-dominated conservative state like georgia texas toss-ups democrats still issue brand large swaths country party nancy pelosi image cement many voters mind say brian walsh former strategist republican party senate campaign committee refer house representatives democratic leader liberal san francisco fight control congress next year win hostile southern turf could crucial democratic cause senate republicans already narrow majority shave 51-49 jones seat democrats defend 26 seat include 10 state trump would need pick two republican-held state reclaim control nevada arizona view republican-held seat vulnerable takeover next year democrats see possibilities tennessee popular former democratic governor phil bredesen jump race seat retire republican bob corker mississippi incumbent republican roger wicker could face bruise primary challenge house representatives democrats need gain 24 seat win majority target list 91 district include one alabama arkansas kentucky two georgia four north carolina election hold today think could see democrats win areas country democrats last decade say zac mccrary democratic pollster base alabama addition congressional race governors contest georgia south carolina state legislative race across region give democrats shoot compete areas dominate local politics minority party define liberal view cultural issue abortion gay right mccrary say jones democrat john bel edwards louisiana governor office 2015 show possible build win coalition south energize african-american voters also appeal white swing voters soft republicans independents alabama jones make inroads voters shelby county republican suburbs state big city birmingham outpolling result hillary clinton last year presidential election 20 percentage point warn sign republicans trump weak performance wealthy educate suburban district 2016 democrat jon ossoff strong though ultimately lose bid special election early year congressional seat suburban atlanta district long hold republicans say david hughes professor auburn university-montgomery alabama democrats want get ditch alabama south suburbs say hughes expert southern politics judicial elections nine state form political backbone republican-dominated south alabama arkansas georgia kentucky louisiana mississippi tennessee south north carolina republicans hold 17 18 senate seat jones take office well 56 70 house seat democratic party chairman tom perez acknowledge wednesday national party keep low profile alabama even pump money turnout efforts target black young voters know publicity involvement would help jones perez say victory show party launch 50-state organize effort aim elect candidates local state level compete south elsewhere win every zip code america perez tell reporters democrats alabama say party start learn lessons jones campaign every corner state portray bridge builder would listen voters concern work across aisle help alabama need election time thomas jackson black alabama state representative say fish fry attend jones rural alabama last month get lot accomplish sit talk people more alabama upset democrats see new prospect u.s. south