Tuesday night was a far cry from the scenes of commotion that took place at Democrats’ election headquarters a year ago in November.
In three key races, for governor of Virginia, governor of New Jersey and mayor of New York City, the party’s candidates attracted large numbers of voters by attacking President Donald Trump and offering plans to address what exit polls showed was voters’ top concern: affordability.
The Democratic victories come at a time when Trump and Republicans have seen their approval ratings decline 10 months into their second term.
Voters fill out their ballots at a polling station at Hillsboro Old Stone School on November 4, 2025 in Hillsboro, Virginia.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Here are some of the key takeaways from Tuesday’s election, one year until the 2026 midterms:
Democrats change course
National attention focused on Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Zohran Mamdani in New York City as the first real tests for Democrats after the party’s tough defeat in the 2024 national election.
Tuesday’s results showed the party is on the offensive, with all three candidates expected to score sizable victories over their opponents.
“We send a message to the entire world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We choose our Commonwealth over chaos,” Spanbrger said.
It’s the economy, again.
Preliminary exit polling data compiled by ABC News in all three elections showed that most Americans were concerned about the cost of living.
Nearly half of Virginia voters said the economy was the most important issue facing the Commonwealth.
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, delivers a speech at her election night watch party, November 4, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
In New Jersey, six in 10 voters said the state’s economy was “not so good” or “bad,” while about four in 10 said it was “excellent” or “good.”
More than half of New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue they faced.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during an election night event, in Brooklyn, New York, on November 4, 2025.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Spanberger, Sherrill and Mamdani campaigned with affordability as a primary goal.
Although each candidate has different proposals to reduce costs (Mamdani being the most vocal about raising the tax rate on the wealthy to pay for services like child care), a large number of voters were attracted to his messages.
Voters are not happy with the state of the country.
Much like last year’s election, where nearly every Democratic-led state flipped red, voters seemed to want a change in the status quo.
Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, speaks on stage at her election night rally in East Brunswick, New Jersey, on November 4, 2025.
Mike Segar/Reuters
A large majority of voters who said they were angry supported Sherrill, saying they were unhappy with the way things were going in the country. New Jersey has never elected a governor from the same party in three straight cycles.
Record turnout helps boost Mamdani
More than 2 million voters turned out in New York City on Tuesday, the first time a mayoral election crossed that threshold since 1969.
Mamdani garnered more than 1.03 million votes as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, more than the population of five states, according to U.S. Census figures.
Turnout in New York reflected the increase in turnout seen during an off-year election.
Historic victories for Muslim candidates
Mamdani and Virginia Lt. Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi made history as the first Muslim Americans elected to their respective offices.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates during an election night event in Brooklyn, New York, on November 4, 2025.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Both had faced anti-Islam attacks from their opponents and critics across the country.
Wins sends a message to Trump
Trump became indirectly involved in all three races, especially in New York City, as he attempted to maintain and increase the influence of the Republican Party after his victory.
The president was particularly tied to the New Jersey race, as Republican Jack Ciattarelli openly embraced and embraced Trump’s support, despite the president’s low approval ratings.
Sherrill took several opportunities to criticize Trump as he sought to closely unite the president and Ciattarelli. Mamdani and Spanberger also linked their opponents to Trump’s influence.
Mamdani also addressed Trump directly during his victory speech.
“I have four words for you, turn up the volume,” the mayor-elect said to a roar of cheers from his supporters.
The president reacted angrily to the victories on social media, arguing that the current government shutdown and the fact that he was not on the ballot were the reasons Republicans lost.
