(New York, November 4) In the first major elections since President Trump's return to the White House, Democrats won all three races: New York City mayor, Virginia governor, and New Jersey governor. This victory offers a glimmer of hope for a Democratic comeback in the midterm elections later next year. Trump claimed the Republicans lost because he didn't run, coupled with voter protests against the ongoing federal government shutdown.
In the three elections held on Tuesday (November 4), 34-year-old Democratic candidate Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race with 50.4% of the vote, defeating independent candidate former New York Governor Cuomo and Republican candidate Sliwa. Mamdani, of South Asian descent, will become New York City's first Muslim mayor in 400 years and its youngest mayor in 100 years.
In the Virginia governorship, 46-year-old former Democratic Congressman Spanberg won with 57.5% of the vote, becoming Virginia's first female governor. 53-year-old incumbent Democratic Congressman Sheryl also won the New Jersey governorship with 56.2% of the vote.
Facing a complete Republican defeat, Trump posted on social media late Tuesday night, saying, "Trump's absence and the government shutdown are the two reasons the Republicans lost tonight."
Of the three races, Mamdani's victory was the most noteworthy. Having served as a New York State Assemblyman since 2021, with less than five years of political experience, he quickly rose to prominence as one of the party's most promising new stars by defeating Cuomo, a deeply entrenched figure in New York politics, in the Democratic primaries earlier this year, using a strategy focused on the cost of living and relatable short videos.
Further Reading
During his victory speech on Tuesday, Mamdani challenged Trump to a chorus of words in front of his supporters: "Trump, I know you're watching this. Let me give you four words: Bring it on!"
Analysis: Mamdani's Left-Wing Views May Be a Risk to the Democratic Election
US analysts believe that the victories of these three candidates could boost the morale of the Democratic Party, which lost the White House and both houses of Congress last year, and reconnect them with supporters eager for new faces. The New York City mayoral election saw the highest voter turnout since 1969, further demonstrating Mamdani's appeal.
All three candidates attracted votes on economic issues, particularly the cost of living. However, Spanberg and Sherrell are from the Democratic centrist wing, while Mamdani, who identifies as a socialist, has clearly left-leaning views.
Mamdani advocates for higher corporate and wealth taxes, freezing soaring rents in New York City, and providing free childcare and bus services. After his primary victory, the Republican Party indicated that its future election strategy would label him as a Democratic face, highlighting his left-wing views to centrist voters. Trump even mocked him as a "communist madman" and threatened the day before the election to cut federal funding to New York City if he won.
Now that Mamdani has won, some Wall Street investors are concerned that New York, as the world's financial capital, has elected a left-wing politician as mayor, believing that his victory could actually pose a risk to the Democratic Party in next year's elections.
Commentary also points out that the midterm elections are still a year away, with significant uncertainties and turning points. Recent polls show that although Trump's approval rating has declined, Democratic support remains generally low. Voters in the three previous elections were already Democratic, and they did not support Trump in last year's presidential election.
Some analysts believe that Tuesday's election may be more significant for the Democrats than another election in California, where 63.8% of California voters support Governor Newsom's redrawing of congressional districts. This could help up to five House seats be overturned in next year's midterm elections, turning them to the Democrats and countering the Republicans' redrawing of districts in favor of them in states like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.
