Copyright Newsweek
Democrats are celebrating after posting sweeping victories across several high-profile contests in the nation’s first major elections since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Voters in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City and other battlegrounds handed Democrats crucial wins in elections that serve as an early barometer for public reaction to President Trump’s first year back in office and provide a boost to Democrats before next year's midterms. Below, Newsweek outlines the key victories. Virginia Governor: Abigail Spanberger Makes History Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA case officer and Democratic U.S. House member, defeated Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears to become Virginia’s first female governor. The win brings the seat back into Democratic hands for the first time since 2021 when incumbent Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin flipped the seat. In a message to her supporters in Richmond, Spanberger said: "We sent a message to every corner of the commonwealth, a message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. We sent a message to the whole word that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos." New Jersey Governor: Mikie Sherrill Clinches Democratic Streak Democrat Representative Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran and moderate, won New Jersey’s governorship over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, securing a third consecutive Democratic administration—a feat last accomplished in the 1960s. Sherrill told supporters gathered to celebrate her victory: "We here in New Jersey are bound to fight for a different future for our children. "We see how clearly important liberty is. We know that no one in our great state is safe when our neighbors are targeted, ignoring the law and the Constitution." New York City Mayor: Zohran Mamdani Ushers in Progressive Era Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, 34, claimed victory as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest in more than a century, after the largest turn out for a mayoral race in at least three decades. Mamdani campaigned on rent freezes, public transit reform and economic justice, winning over young, immigrant and renter-heavy constituencies. Trump had backed independent rival and former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and repeatedly warned he could withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani was elected. Celebrating victory, Mamdani said: "Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford." Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Democrats Hold All Incumbent Seats Democrats secured all three Pennsylvania Supreme Court seats up for retention, preserving their 5-2 advantage. The court holds major sway over state-level disputes such as voting access and abortion rights, amplifying the importance of this result in a key swing state. California Proposition 50: Democrats Cement Redistricting Advantage California voters approved Proposition 50, allowing the Democratic legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom to redraw congressional district lines, a direct response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas and other states. Democrats hope the measure could give them up to five additional congressional seats, although the law requires the restoration of independent redistricting after 2030. Newsom cast the California vote as part of a broader national rejection of Trump’s policies. He told reporters: "What a night for the Democratic Party. A party that is in its ascendancy. A party that is on its toes, no longer on its heels. From coast to coast, sea to shining sea. But it was not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party, it was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country, and the principles our Founding Fathers lived and died for." Georgia Public Service Commission: Democrats Flip Seats For the first time since 2000, Democrats won seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard defeated Republican incumbents, narrowing the GOP’s majority to 3-2 on the body that regulates utilities statewide. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said, per the Georgia Recorder: "This victory is a direct response to Trump’s cost-raising agenda that is squeezing pocketbooks in Georgia and across the country." Mississippi Legislature: Democrats Gain Seats Following Redistricting Benefiting from court-ordered special elections and redistricting, Democrats picked up several seats in both the Mississippi House and Senate, reports the Magnolia Tribune. Democrats took two Republican seats in the Mississippi Senate, breaking the Republican supermajority, and also picked up one seat in the House. The Mississippi Democratic Party wrote on Facebook: "Mississippi just broke the supermajority—and the people have taken back their power. From the Delta to the Pine Belt, voters stood up for fair leadership and community progress: Better schools. Fairer representation. Expanded health care. Good-paying jobs. This is what people power looks like." Connecticut Mayoral Elections: Democrats Flip Key Cities In unofficial results, Democrats also logged major wins in Connecticut, flipping mayoralties in Stratford, Milford, and New Britain—areas previously held by Republicans. Roberto Alves, chairman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, said in a statement reported by CT News Junkie: "Tonight is a very good night for Democrats in Connecticut and across the country. "Voters rejected the status quo in race after race, and chose leaders who will take us in a new direction." This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
