Trump cites 2 reasons as Democrats sweep first major elections
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has blamed his absence from the ballot and the ongoing government shutdown for the Republican Party's poor performance in local elections. "Trump wasn't on the ballot, and shutdown were the two reasons that Republicans lost elections tonight," he wrote on Truth Social, citing pollsters. His comments came after Democrats won major races in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey.
Election results
Democrats win gubernatorial races in Virginia, New Jersey
In New York City, Democrat Zohran Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo, a former governor who was backed by Trump and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become the city's first Muslim mayor. He will also be the city's youngest mayor in almost a century when he takes office on January 1. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated the state's Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, will become the first woman to lead the state.
Historic win
Landmark wins for Democrats
In New Jersey, Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill won the governor's race, defeating Jack Ciattarelli, a former state representative and Republican. Both focused on cost of living, with Ciattarelli proposing reduced personal and corporate tax rates, as well as a new school funding model to reduce taxes across the state. Sherrill ran on proposed tax incentives for new housing developments and a moratorium on utility rate hikes. The polls were seen as the first major electoral tests of Trump's second presidency.