Feminists

In 2016, as Democrats work to retake the Senate, they have a chance to do it while simultaneously expanding the ranks of their progressive members, given the tilt of the playing field. In Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Iowa, Democrats have the potential to elect progressive senators in seats currently held by Republicans. Much, however, will depend on recruiting, and whether the decision is made to target populist-progressive types in the vein of Warren, or more centrist, corporate-friendly picks such as Virginia's Mark Warner.

What many activists are hoping is that the caucus will take note that progressive issues like the minimum wage, reproductive rights and criminal justice reform won on Tuesday, even though many Democratic candidates did not. The question is whether to double down on those positions or abandon them in favor of the moderate, Democrat-lite platforms that were so popular during the 2014 cycle.

"If the ballot measure results are any indication, actual progressive policies remain popular with voters in red and blue states. I believe you’ll see a Senate Democratic caucus fight on behalf of those policies and provide the votes if and when Republicans are ready to act," said Faiz Shakir, a senior adviser to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

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Meanwhile, Republicans need to defend 24 seats. Democrats likely will need to pick up five seats to take back the Senate. They'll have a variety of routes to get there.

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