Democrats Win Two Governors’ Races and Mayorship of New York City

What Happened?

Though 2025 is an off year for federal elections, Democrats won gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia while also capturing the mayorship of New York City. Democrats flipped the governorship of Virginia by electing former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, while former Congresswoman Mikie Sherill kept the governor’s mansion for Democrats in New Jersey.

Perhaps the most watched contest of the evening was the mayor’s race in New York City, where relative political newcomer and Democratic socialist Zohran Mandani won a convincing victory over former New York City Mayor Andrew Cuomo. Mr. Cuomo’s late endorsement by President Trump gave some momentum to his campaign, but in the end, it was not enough to defeat Mandani.

In California, Proposition Fifty also passed by a wide margin, which could result in five new Congressional seats for Democrats in California.

Why it Matters

Because President Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo and weighed in heavily against Mandani, the results could be seen as a referendum against the Trump Administration and its policies. New Jersey has been a reliable blue state for some time, but Virginia’s turn from red to blue in the governor’s race could be a warning sign for Republicans ahead of next year’s national mid-term elections.

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Despite the mutual criticism between President Trump and Mayor-elect Mandani, both ran on anti-elite and anti-corruption campaigns. Though the two men differ substantially in how they want to tackle elite corruption, both were focused on that as a core issue for their respective constituencies. In the case of the New York City mayor’s race, Mr. Mandani also focused on high rents, public transportation, and childcare, issues which appeared to resonate with many voters in New York.

While it’s too soon to characterize Tuesday’s election results as the beginning of a blue wave, there are warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats were expected to win in New York City, but they also gained ground in rural Virginia and Pennsylvania in local races, and those are places Republicans considered safely red. Overall, the outcomes were a much-needed win for the Democratic Party.

The results were a rebuke to the Trump Administration, but calling them a political disaster for the President would probably be an exaggeration. With a year to go before next year’s midterms, President Trump and Republicans still have plenty of time to adjust their policies to address voter frustration. 

How it Affects You

With the 2025 elections over, the chances that Congress will find a way to pass a new spending bill and reopen the federal government have increased. Pressure is growing on both sides to end the shutdown, and with this year’s elections completed, Congress is more likely to make deals since the terms won’t be publicized as part of any active political campaigns.