Democrats swept a trio of races on Tuesday in the first major elections since Donald Trump regained the presidency, elevating a new generation of leaders and giving the beleaguered party a shot of momentum ahead of next year's congressional elections.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, won the mayoral race, capping a meteoric and unlikely rise from an anonymous state lawmaker to one of the country's most visible Democratic figures. And in Virginia and New Jersey, moderate Democrats Abigail Spanberger, 46, and Mikie Sherrill, 53, won the elections for governor with commanding leads, respectively.
Tuesday's contests offered a barometer of how Americans are responding to Trump's tumultuous nine months in office. The races also served as a test of differing Democratic campaign playbooks ahead of 2026, with the party locked out of power in Washington and still trying to forge a path out of the political wilderness.
That said, the midterm election is a year away, an eternity in the Trump era, and opinion polls show the Democratic brand remains broadly unpopular, even as Trump's own approval rating has declined. The contests on Tuesday also all unfolded in Democratic-leaning regions that did not support Trump in last year's presidential election.
Perhaps the biggest practical boost to Democrats on Tuesday came out of California, where voters gave Democratic lawmakers the power to redraw the state's congressional map, expanding a national battle over redistricting that will shape the race for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The winning candidates on Tuesday could reenergize and inspire more engagement from Democratic voters, many of whom have clamored for fresh faces at the vanguard of the party. Turnout in the New York City mayoral race was the highest since at least 1969.
All three Democratic candidates emphasized economic issues, particularly affordability, an issue that remains top of mind for most voters. But Spanberger and Sherrill hail from the party's moderate wing, while Mamdani used a viral video-fueled insurgent campaign to present himself as an unabashed progressive in the mold of Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
"The Democratic Party is back," Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, assrted on X.
Mamdani, who will become the first Muslim mayor of the biggest U.S. city, outlasted former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, who ran as an independent after losing the nomination to Mamdani earlier this year. Cuomo, who resigned as governor four years ago after sexual harassment allegations that he has denied, portrayed Mamdani as a radical leftist whose proposals were unworkable and dangerous.
Mamdani has called for raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for ambitious left-wing policies such as frozen rents, free childcare and free city buses. Wall Street executives have expressed concern about putting a democratic socialist at the helm of the financial capital of the world.
Republicans have already signaled they intend to present Mamdani as the face of the Democratic Party. Trump has incorrectly labeled Mamdani a "communist" and vowed to cut funding for the city in response to Mamdani's ascension.
In a social media post on Tuesday night, Trump blamed the losses on the fact his name was not on the ballot and on an ongoing federal government shutdown.
TRUMP LOOMS OVER RACES
Spanberger, who beat Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, will take over from Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in Virginia. New Jersey's Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli and will succeed Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.
Both Sherrill and Spanberger had sought to tie their opponents to Trump in an effort to harness frustration among Democratic and independent voters over his chaotic tenure.
"We sent a message to the world that in 2025 Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship," Spanberger said in her victory speech. "We chose our Commonwealth over chaos."
Trump gave both candidates some late-stage grist during the ongoing government shutdown.
His administration threatened to fire federal workers — a move with an outsized impact on Virginia, a state adjacent to Washington, D.C., and home to many government employees. He froze billions in funding for a new Hudson River train tunnel, a critical project for New Jersey's large commuter population.
In interviews at Virginia polling stations on Tuesday, some voters said Trump's most contentious policies were on their minds, including his efforts to deport immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and to impose costly tariffs on imports of foreign goods, the legality of which is being weighed by the U.S. Supreme Court this week.
Juan Benitez, a self-described independent, was voting for the first time. The 25-year-old restaurant manager backed all of Virginia's Democratic candidates because of his opposition to Trump's immigration policies and the federal government shutdown, for which he blamed Trump.
For Republicans, Tuesday's elections served as a test of whether the voters who powered Trump's victory in 2024 will still show up when he is not on the ballot.
But Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears, both running in Democratic-leaning states, faced a conundrum: criticizing Trump risked losing his supporters, but embracing him too closely could have alienated moderate and independent voters who disapprove of his policies.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
82 Comments
Bob Fosse
Virginia Governor, AG and L.Governor all Democrat wins by a very large margin.
Going to be some catsup catapulting.
deanzaZZR
The NYT's has called New Jersey's governor race for Democrat Mikie Sherrill.
Underworld
These elections will represent a significant repudiation of Trump.
Bob Fosse
Vance’s half brother just got beaten in the Cincinnati election. Absolutely thrashed.
R B Quinn
It appears the voters are tired of the chaotic mismanagement oby the current occupant of the White House.
This is just rhe beginning of the process which will be seen in New Jersey later today and will further be seen in November 2026.
bass4funk
More rich people will be leaving, wise.
Wasabi
They can move the Canada, Europe or Japan. Great!
JJE
Hardly. These are of no consequence to the wider picture of implementing the electoral majority endorsed Trump agenda.
About the most consequential thing: the potential election of Mamdani will be viewed by the WH as a provocation which will merit a federal intervention, which will be welcomed by the wider public.
The fact Shutdown Schumer hasn't endorsed him speaks volumes. Even he doesn't want to go off the deep end twice.
NCIS Reruns
Nice to see that democracy is still hanging on in the US.
stormcrow
Trump is the reason for these successes. If people only knew then what they know now, then there wouldn’t have been a president Trump to begin with. America has to do a better job of educating people, at least enough so they can see and identify a charlatan when they see one.
maxjapank
Nice! Congrats. Looks like Mamdani won as well. Good news for America!
max-velocity
New York voters have spoken. The next mayor will be a Muslim.
ThePunisher
Massive rejection all round of MAGA and Trump, and those they endorsed.
Good on New Yorkers for giving Mamdani a big mandate! Hopefully it antagonizes and angers that criminal in the White house.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I, too, would like to see the MAGA unmasked and in favor of martial law.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I would ask the MAGA how they are feeling about their "mandate", but we all know they will double and triple down on stupidity.
okinawarides
These elections will represent a significant repudiation of Trump.
Probably true but he still runs the WH for a while.
Jimizo
A positive night for the Democrats.
Let’s see if they can build on it.
Cochise
These are of no consequence to the wider picture of implementing the electoral majority endorsed Trump agenda.
Correct. But see the “progressives” clutching at the straws. lol.
bass4funk
or Red States
deanzaZZR
Proposition 50 in California is easily going to pass. Trump's agenda is getting pummeled.
Guy_Gin_and_Tonic
Republicans will either start leaving Trump or go for a dictatorship asap. Either way, the free world isn’t out of the woods yet.
bass4funk
Neither
Ohhh, I definitely agree with you on that!
Bob Fosse
“more than 2 million ballots including early voting were cast across the city, according to the board of elections, the most in a mayoral race since at least 1969.”
Quite a landmark. The people have spoken.
DevilKingOfTheSixthHeaven
Congratulations to Mr. Cardamom, the first Muslim mayor of NYC.
Also identifies as 'Black' since he was born in Uganda, so I am sure he will do a lot for the African American community since parts of NYC resemble sundown towns I believe.
Also very happy for award winning filmmaker Mira Nair that her son has gone on to become NYC mayor. Since he identifies with the common folks of NYC who are being squeezed out due to cost of living and don't have the option to buy 2 million dollars luxury condos like Mira Nair's loft in Manhattan. Ironic that Zohran Mamdani's political journey began in that particular luxury condo.
Salaam from Bombay.
XX XY Sports
That's not true.
It's New York. It's New Jersey. They're both teeming with Democrats.
A Democrat, any Democrat, would win pretty much any election in (respectively) that city and that state.
The ridiculous idea that this is some sort of anti-Trump backlash is, well, just that. Ridiculous.
It's sheer wishful thinking, and only shows how out of touch the "progressives" are, especially in the media.
Yotomaya
Or the Red Planet, as some of them promised years ago!
They'd do us a favour by leaving us on earth to create liveable societies for people.
Luckily a big enough number of Americans seems to be on that wavelength this time round.
XX XY Sports
It's California. It's a heavily Democrat controlled state.
Prop 50 would pass no matter who the president was.
"These election results are a backlash against Trump" only show how silly the thinking of "progressives" is.
They win elections in heavily "progressive" cities and states, elections where most voters already hate Trump anyway, and then they portray it as some kind of "anti-Trump backlash."
I hope "progressives" maintain this out-of-touch thinking, because it'll only lead to another national election loss in 2028.
Peter14
Congratulations to the Democrats and to America. Displeasure with Trump and how he operates continues to grow. Highest disapproval rates for Trump in the polls, lowest approval rates. It will only get worse for Trump.
It's a start.
bass4funk
A landmark? Lol
bass4funk
Actually, it's a finish, this socialist will completely destroy NYC.
The Reformation of Martin Luther
I doubt it. It won't happen.
aaronagstring
“We have toppled a political dynasty.”
Seismic.
JustAGoodOleBoy
Democrats swept historically blue areas. Who could have predicted this?
DeeZee
So long as America has Trump then no Democrat matters
aaronagstring
Again, that’s some coping going on there. And again, cope more.
Jimizo
Pelose?
At least this person didn’t say a Democrat could shoot someone on a crowded street and still not lose votes.
That would be even more insulting to people. It would sound like this person sees them as morally depraved as well as stupid and easily led.
XCAndtheband
Excellent! Keep the progressive movement going, fight against the Trump regime, and keep working for the people!
Especially proud of our boy, Mamdani!
Fight’s not gonna be easy against these fascists, but we can do it and build a better United States for everyone.
bass4funk
Me too. L
Democrats, too pure for the socialists and Marxists now
Yeah? and with whose money?
aaronagstring
Yours, as you’re still a US citizen…..LOL
bass4funk
True, but not when it comes to investing. why would I invest my money in the state with a socialist, when I know it won't help anyone and it's going to burden me more as a taxpayer? I can just go to the state who is friendly to investors, where I wouldn't have to worry about being taxed into oblivion or follow, outrageous, regulations, and overbearing bureaucracy.
XCAndtheband
Everyone pays into the system, everyone should benefit.
But right now, the progressives need to fix the system because the wealthy have evaded paying their fair share, exploited the working class, been bailed out after being complete failures, wrecked the economy, been able to bribe the politicians to make things overwhelmingly favorable to themselves, and just overall made a system where working class people are at completely at their mercy.
Enough of the rich and privileged looting the country at the expense of the normal citizens. It’s time to put the power back in the hands of the people.
chotto_2
bass4funkToday 01:28 pm JST
Utter nonsense argument. Look at Rosedale Mississiippi, any biollionaires living there? No?
We always get this from the hard-of-thinking every time someone whose not a greedy capitalist dares to get voted in.
Rich people need hospitas, schools, doctors, roads, cibvil servants, too.
Rational voters are always threatened with a mass-exodous if billionaires aren't allowed to keep an extra cent, and every time they NEVER leave.
Five Families
Zohran Mamdani, Evil and why.
Socialism is a political and economic theory advocating for collective or government ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services. It aims to reduce economic inequality and promote social welfare through various policies, like progressive taxation, universal healthcare, and public education.
Why is it considered evil in the US?
Historical Context: During the Cold War, the United States was engaged in a long-standing ideological and geopolitical rivalry with the Soviet Union, which was a communist state. This led to a strong anti-communist sentiment in America, and socialism was often associated with communism.
Fear of Government Overreach: The US has a strong tradition of individualism and capitalism, with a belief in limited government intervention in the economy. Socialism, which often involves more government control, is often seen as a threat to personal freedom and free-market capitalism; as well as a slippery slope towards authoritarianism.
Misunderstanding & Ignorance: There often are misconceptions and misunderstandings about what socialism actually entails. Many associate it with extreme forms like totalitarian communism, even though there are various forms of socialism with different degrees of government intervention. Many countries in Europe for example operate within a mixed-market economy; combining a free-market capitalist system with extensive social welfare programs.
NY- if you have wealth leave the state while you can. This guy is so bad.
Five Families
Really, New York is cooked.
bass4funk
Again, what are you going to do when rich people leave, try to borrow more money from the federal government?
This has been tried to every single state and every single blue city, and it has failed miserably, every single time.
OK, so you're trying to say rich people are responsible for helping people who made poor decisions in life?, Yeah, not with my money.
bass4funk
I outlined already the cities, I don't know what you're talking about, and no, it's not no nonsense, why do you think so many of the powerful rich are runny to red states, even liberals who usually don't vote Republican with money or leaving to red states.
Uh-huh, lol!
Yes, and we can afford the best and we can afford private.
There is nothing radical about Marxism or socialism or even communism, nothing.
Blacklabel
Blue state, blue state, blue city.
changes nothing.
XCAndtheband
Rich people aren’t gonna leave. You really think they’d leave, New York, one of the most financially important and lucrative cities in the world? You really gotta buy into a severe delusion if you think that’s actually gonna happen.
Oh yup, absolutely. In fact, they’ve failed so much there are no blue cities at all because they’ve failed so bad. Oh wait…that’s not true? Oh right another MAGA delusion.
Yeah that’s not what I said or meant that at all, but good that you put those imaginary words in my mouth. Makes the delusion more obvious. People making poor decisions has nothing at all to do with what I talked about.
XCAndtheband
MAGAs keep showing their true face and trying to protect the ultra wealthy.
Keep it going, I say! Show us more that you’re not for the average American at all!
bass4funk
Of course they will and have, go to Florida, notice a lot of Brooklyn accents there, go to Tennessee, businesses are opening up like crazy
Absolutely, they already have and now more will leave.
Chicago is doing well?? Oakland?? Detroit?
What delusion? The only delusion is that the Dems think socialism will work. ROFL!
Bob Fosse
The highest voter turnout since 1969.
Yes, a landmark. Your nervous laughter proves so.
bass4funk
OK, so essentially Atlanta is another No Go zone.
Bob Fosse
What money? Yesterday you claimed you were going to give it all away to fight Billie Eilish.
Bob Fosse
Says the person who has literally used the phrase ‘radical Marxist’ here hundreds of times.
bass4funk
I never said that.
Uhh, No! Lol
Less emotion, you're not getting it as usual
okinawarides
Does JT really allows this kind of gutter filth language?
*starpunkToday 02:05 pm JST And a big voters' sah-LAPP right across the lippy motormouth chops of that fascist diaper-stinking immature brat traitor rapist fascist* pig!
bass4funk
If these Dems tick off Trump, he can refuse them Federal money, be careful libs and Dems.
Tokyo Guy
Someone suggested that making an AI video of the President dumping excrement on his own country and then taking away SNAP benefits from millions of them might have not been the smartest move IF one was hoping to win votes from non-brainwashed psychopaths.
TokyoLiving
And this is the begginning..
Wait for the blue wave in midterms..
MAGA regime has its days numbered..
Bob Fosse
Another poster said it. You quoted him saying it and replied just “same here”.
Five Families
I guess those living or the majority in NY and these blue states would rather have free handouts, welfare programs, drugs, crime, light jail sentences and open boarders in these blue states. Have at it.
Or here is another way-Just hear me out.
1. Invest in Education and Skills Training
Why it matters: Education is the foundation of economic mobility. Whether it's trade schools, community colleges, apprenticeships, or online certifications, gaining in-demand skills opens doors to better-paying jobs.
Actionable step: Encourage policies and programs that make vocational and technical training more accessible and affordable.
2. Promote a Culture of Personal Responsibility
Why it matters: A strong work ethic, financial literacy, and accountability are key to long-term independence.
Actionable step: Support community programs that teach budgeting, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance from a young age.
3. Encourage Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth
Why it matters: Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They create jobs and foster innovation.
Actionable step: Reduce regulatory burdens, simplify tax codes, and expand access to microloans and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs.
4. Reform Welfare to Empower, Not Entrap
Why it matters: Welfare should be a safety net, not a trap. Some systems unintentionally discourage work by phasing out benefits too quickly.
Actionable step: Implement policies like “welfare-to-work” programs, earned income tax credits, and gradual benefit reductions to encourage employment.
5. Strengthen Families and Communities
Why it matters: Strong family units and community support reduce the need for government intervention.
Actionable step: Support initiatives that promote fatherhood, mentorship, and community engagement, especially in underserved areas.
6. Foster Economic Freedom and Opportunity
Why it matters: A free-market economy allows individuals to rise based on merit, innovation, and effort.
Actionable step: Resist policies that centralize control or over-regulate industries, and instead champion competition and innovation.
All the above went away with casting of ballots. The democrats have spoken. Food stamps for all.
This is what's coming under your new Mayor. And you say Democracy is back?
Please call it what it is. Its dependency on state legislation soon to be put in motion.
This is not the vision of our founding fathers.
Socialism is the axis of Evil.
TokyoLiving
What.. Another childish tantrum from the little petty banana dictator in chief??..
The pathetic is people like you supporting that childish behavior of a president's country..
LOOOOOL
bass4funk
I didn't say it, that's the difference, nice try.
Cephus
Congratulations to the Democrats, they really had a good night. Love them or hate them!! We need much reflection and get back to winning again!!
buchailldana
And that's why Trump doesn't like free and fair elections.
He has a possibility to lose.
TokyoLiving
Stone aged places, no thanks..
You belong there, leave Japan..
LOOOOOL
finally rich
Those who vote for the socialist are doing so due to emotions. They’ll have their high today and perhaps tonight/tomorrow when he wins, but a year from now, as is always the case with socialism, it runs out of peoples money, it creates a two class system, those who have and those who don’t. Eventually enough people and corporations will leave NYC and the tax based reduced year after year after year. When eventually a normal candidate comes along, it’ll take decades to fix the damage. You get what you vote for, NY.
chotto_2
bass4funkToday 01:51 pm JST
Sick.
Since when is a little kid dying of cancer and unable to aff9rd treatment, or his mum be8ng unable to afford insulin a "poor decision?
You were born 3-0 up and scored a hatrick
Stop kidding yourself that you got where you are cos of 'hard work' .
It was sheer dumb luck.
u_s__reamer
Progressive Dems had better watch their backs because the DNC Establishment weasels would rather throw them all under the MAGA bus than relinquish their power to control the narrative..
lostrune2
Candidates backed by Trump lost decisively in NYC, New Jersey, and flipped Virginia from Republican to Democrat. Virginia also elected its first ever woman governor, while NYC elected its youngest mayor (age 34) in a century and its first Muslim mayor
That's because Independents voted 56% to the Democrat candidates compared to 43% to the Republicans. Moreso among the people who view the government shutdown as affecting them - they voted 63% to the Democrats compared to 36% to the Republicans
Particularly to New Jersey, Trump recently won 42% of the Latino vote, but the Republican candidate dropped to 32% of the Latino vote. While the new young NYC mayor came out of nowhere by running a masterful campaign - from canvassing late-night shift nurses and NYC night clubbers to ironically using the Trump playbook of anti-establishment and social media
Because Democrat voters kept their mouths shut in California, just as Republican voters kept their mouths shut in Texas
XCAndtheband
It’s funny how Republicans and MAGA completely miss that the rich having a tantrum and threatening to leave is somehow a reason that we should continue doing the same thing we always do, and just give the rich whatever they want.
It’s the rich holding the average American hostage. Enough of this
XCAndtheband
Wrong wording on the beginning, but i meant that the rich doing that is exactly why we shouldn’t keep indulging them.
Yotomaya
Congratulations! You've just summed up capitalism. We need more level-headed people who know what their talking about and rationally vote for MAGA and their copycats around the world!
bass4funk
I don't believe in luck, it is what it is and I worked hard for what I have, that's it, very simple actually
bass4funk
Uh, no, it's radical indoctrination, laziness, thinking that the federal government is there to take care of you, lack of motivation, unwillingness to do what it takes to make sure you get what you can get, America is one of the best countries on the planet, this is why people rest, their lives to come, so you have every opportunity to make it, no excuses.
Five Families
I just spoke with my best friend, a lifelong Democrat who runs a multimillion-dollar cybersecurity firm in Manhattan. She’s putting her $2.2 million Soho condo on the market and her business — not because she wants to leave, but because staying could mean going out of business. Between an incoming relentless taxation and a rising wave of crime, she sees no path forward for companies like hers.
Her exact words: “What have we done to ourselves electing leaders like Zohran Mamdani?”
She believes New York is on track to become a welfare state — one sustained by a shrinking pool of wealthy taxpayers rather than real growth or federal support.
And her final warning was chilling: “If this continues, it wouldn’t surprise me if the next major tragedy happens right here in our city again.” 911 all over again with de-fund the police on the horizon.
Congratulations Dem's revel in victory!
JJE
This event punches a significant hole in that nasty conspiracy theory about Trump being a dictator/king and no more elections/democracy.
That said, certain quarters seem to think an electoral win in a NYC mayoral race is indicative of nationwide trends. Even worse, to assert the former should nullify the latter.
plasticmonkey
In case you missed what I posted earlier, here are some the current policies of Donnie the Commie for you to resist:
Other of Trump’s national socialist policies include:
Refusing to enforce the 2024 law requiring the sale of TikTok until he was able to compel that the business be sold at an extortionately discounted price to his political allies.
Creating a Golden Share of U.S. Steel for his government.
Requiring Nvidia and AMD to pay the government 15 percent of all revenues from chip sales to China.
Acquiring a 10 percent ownership stake in chipmaker Intel.
Acquiring a 15 percent stake in rare earth producers MP Materials, a 10 percent stake in Lithium Americas Corp., and a 10 percent stake in Trilogy Metals Inc.
Creating a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile.”
Taking steps to create a sovereign wealth fund to be used as a vehicle for government investment.
He has demanded that Microsoft fire an executive he does not like and demanded that private law firms commit to doing pro bono work on behalf of clients he chooses for them.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-the-real-commie-mamdani-sanders-democratic-socialism
Yotomaya
Not really. The US system is too robust to be dismantled this easily. And it's not a conspiracy theory if the president himself openly says it.
WoodyLee
Tuesday's contests offered a barometer of how Americans are responding to Trump's tumultuous nine months in office.
OH YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
bass4funk
In blue states….not surprising
Sh1mon M4sada
Isn't it amazing elite developers benefitted most with insane cost of housing, they pooled funds to support Mamdani, and the first act is relaxing laws to fast track housing. LOL, you can't make this stuff up....