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Democrats Sweep Key Off‑Year Races as California OKs New House Map

Affordability proved decisive, prompting a Republican rethink ahead of 2026.

Overview

  • Zohran Mamdani, 34, won New York City’s mayoral race on an affordability platform and will be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
  • Democrats posted double‑digit wins in the New Jersey and Virginia governor races, with returns showing gains among independents and in heavily Latino areas.
  • California voters approved Proposition 50 to redraw congressional districts in ways expected to improve Democrats’ prospects of reclaiming the U.S. House.
  • Exit polls identified cost of living as the dominant concern and many voters cited opposition to President Trump, with the record government shutdown factoring into GOP losses.
  • Republicans began recalibrating for 2026 as Trump blamed the shutdown and urged ending the Senate filibuster, while the NRCC launched ads nationalizing Mamdani as Democrats’ new face.