Voters Head to the Polls in First Election of Trump’s Second Term
One year after President Donald Trump retook the White House and began a sweeping expansion of executive power, the Republican president is a prominent figure in state and local elections being held Tuesday. According…
One year after President Donald Trump retook the White House and began a sweeping expansion of executive power, the Republican president is a prominent figure in state and local elections being held Tuesday.
According to The Associated Press, the results — the first general election of Trump’s second term — will be cast as either a major repudiation or a resounding endorsement of his agenda. That’s especially true in the high-profile races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, mayor of New York City, and a California ballot measure to redraw congressional districts.
More than half the states are holding contests Tuesday. Here’s a look at some of the key races:
In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy. Sherrill, a four-term U.S. representative and former Navy helicopter pilot, faces Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman backed by Trump. In 2021, Ciattarelli came within three points of defeating Murphy.
In Virginia, Republican Lt. Gov. WInsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger are running to replace outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Spanberger has tried to steer the race away from Trump, but the president’s influence has loomed large — from Earle-Sears’ past comments about him to his controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax measure and sweeping federal worker dismissals.
Former President Barack Obama will campaign with Spanberger and Sherrill in the final stretch, while Trump was slated to join telephone rallies for GOP candidates Monday night.
As the only gubernatorial contests held in the year after a presidential election, these races have long served as an early test of voter sentiment toward the party in power. Since 1973, at least one of the two states has elected a governor from the opposite party of the sitting president.
In New York City, the mayoral race features Democratic state legislator Zohran Mamdani, independent and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani’s decisive primary win energized progressives and unsettled moderates, prompting endorsements from Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped his independent bid in September, later endorsed Cuomo. Earlier this year, the Trump Justice Department asked a court to drop corruption charges against Adams, saying the case interfered with Trump’s “immigration objectives.” Trump later urged both Adams and Sliwa to step aside to help defeat Mamdani.
In California, voters will decide Proposition 50, a statewide measure that would redraw congressional districts and could flip up to five GOP-held U.S. House seats. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom backs the proposal, which comes in response to a Texas map favoring Republicans as part of Trump’s effort to maintain GOP control of the House in 2026 — a move that’s triggered a new wave of redistricting battles nationwide.
In Pennsylvania, control of the state’s Supreme Court is on the line as voters decide whether to retain three Democratic justices from the 5-2 majority. The outcome could shape how future election disputes are handled in 2028. Campaign spending is expected to exceed $15 million.
Other key races include:
Virginia Attorney General: GOP incumbent Jason Miyares faces Democrat Jay Jones, whose campaign was rocked by leaked 2022 text messages suggesting violence against political rivals.
Texas-18: Sixteen candidates are running to replace the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.
State Legislatures: Control of the Minnesota Senate and Virginia House of Delegates is up for grabs, while New Jersey Democrats defend their 52-28 Assembly majority.
Ballot Measures: Maine will vote on a red flag gun law; Texas has 17 constitutional amendments on issues like parental rights and voting eligibility; Colorado and Washington also feature statewide initiatives.
Mayoral Elections: Detroit, Pittsburgh, Jersey City, and Buffalo will elect new mayors, while incumbents in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati seek reelection.