Overview
- Abigail Spanberger won Virginia’s governorship by about 15 points and Mikie Sherrill took New Jersey by roughly 13, far outperforming Democrats’ 2024 showing in those states.
- Zohran Mamdani, 34, was elected New York City mayor, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and a high-profile progressive foil to the party’s centrist gubernatorial winners.
- California voters approved a new congressional map expected to improve Democrats’ odds of capturing additional U.S. House seats in 2026.
- Exit polls and campaign messaging centered on the cost of living, with analysts and some outlets tying voter frustration to higher prices and the impact of Trump’s tariffs.
- Republicans acknowledged turnout and messaging problems when Trump is not on the ballot; the president blamed the shutdown and urged ending the Senate filibuster as party leaders debated next steps.