Voters in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California head to the polls on Tuesday for pivotal 2025 elections that will gauge public support for President Donald Trump’s policies since his return to the White House.The results are expected to provide both Democrats and Republicans with an early indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 congressional midterms.These elections unfold against the backdrop of the longest federal government shutdown in US history, now entering its 36th day. With no resolution in sight, surveys by NBC News and Quinnipiac University show that most voters blame Republicans for the impasse, though frustration extends across party lines.Meanwhile, approval for Democrats in Congress remains low — with only 26 percent of voters expressing satisfaction with their performance, reported Bloomberg.
Mamdani eyes victory in NYC mayoral contest
In New York City, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, 34, leads in the polls and could become the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, trails in second. Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, remains far behind and has resisted calls to withdraw.Trump has threatened to pull federal funding from the city if Mamdani wins. The outcome in New York could signal the Democratic Party’s direction — and its approach to governing under Trump’s presidency.
Virginia: Race to become state’s first female governor
In Virginia, where the shutdown and Trump’s push to reduce the federal workforce have hit hard, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 46, faces Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, 61, in the race to replace term-limited Governor Glenn Youngkin. The winner will become the state’s first female governor.Spanberger, a former CIA officer and congresswoman, has centered her campaign on the economy, arguing that Trump has made it “more uncertain and expensive.” Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor, has focused on social issues that appeal to Trump supporters and frame Democrats as “out of step with the broader electorate.”The lieutenant governor’s race will also make history. Democrat Ghazala Hashmi could become Virginia’s first South Asian and Muslim to hold the post, while Republican John Reid could become the first openly gay winner. All 100 seats in Virginia’s House of Delegates are also up for election, with Democrats fighting to keep their majority.
Trump’s influence tested in New Jersey
In New Jersey, Representative Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, faces Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman backed by Trump. The race is seen as a key test of Trump’s growing influence in a traditionally Democratic state.Sherrill, 53, a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, has proposed “repurposing underutilised commercial spaces for residential use,” fully funding NJ Transit, and expanding state childcare programs.Ciattarelli, 63, is running on a MAGA platform focused on tax cuts, smaller government, and legislation to limit classroom discussions about sexual orientation — a stance criticised by LGBTQ groups.
California votes on Newsom’s Proposition 50
In California, voters will decide on Proposition 50, a measure sponsored by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The proposal would temporarily override the state’s independent redistricting commission to redraw congressional maps in favor of Democrats. Newsom has framed the measure as a response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas and other states.If approved, Proposition 50 could help Democrats flip up to five GOP-held congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Democrats favored to sweep key 2025 races
Prediction markets show Democrats favored to win major contests. On Kalshi, 89% of traders expect Mamdani to win in New York City, and 60% predict Spanberger’s victory in Virginia. On Polymarket, 86% forecast Sherrill winning in New Jersey, and 99% expect Proposition 50 to pass in California, as cited by Bloomberg.Polls close at 7 pm local time in Virginia, 8 pm in New Jersey and California, and 9 pm in New York City. Millions of early ballots have already been cast, according to election trackers.The results will offer the first major measure of how voters view Trump’s leadership since his return to power — and shape both parties’ strategies heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
