Election Night highlights: Democrats notch wins in first major elections since Trump returned to power

California’s Republican chair says her party “is on the right side of history” after the passage of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure, which the GOP vehemently opposed.

“The passage of Prop 50 does not solve the problems that plague California,” GOP Chair Corrin Rankin told reporters Tuesday night. “It does nothing to address homelessness, nothing to address the rampant crime and retail theft that’s everyone’s been plagued with here in California.”

Going into next year’s midterms, Republicans will continue making the case to voters that Democratic policies are failing them, she said.

“We keep fighting,” Rankin said. “This fight is not over. It’s just started.”

As Mamdani left the stage, many of his supporters remained on the floor, dancing to Beyonce and reggaeton. Some in the crowd said the victory was still sinking in. Others were already looking ahead to Trump’s response.

“We know he’s going to try” to punish the city, said Wacef Chowdhury, a volunteer for the Mamdani campaign who works in finance. He said Mamdani’s own speech had shown “the fighting spirit that draws people to this city.”

“We fought back the establishment, and we’re going to do the same to the president,” Chowdhury said.

The next mayor of New York City called out Trump from the stage as he celebrated and Trump did not shy away from posting about Mamdani either.

Seen as a reference at Mamdani, Trump posted on Truth Social: “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”

Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding and take over the city if Mamdani won the race. In his remarks on stage, Mamdani did not back down.

“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up!,” Mamdani said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the passage of Proposition 50 a victory for Californians and the entire country, celebrating the victory as a successful push to thwart what he called Trump’s attempts to “rig the midterms.”

“After poking the bear, this bear roared,” Newsom told reporters in a brief victory speech at California Democratic headquarters in Sacramento.

He said the country is still threatened by Trump, who he said is intent on growing his own power. He described the fight over next year’s midterms in near existential terms.

“We can de facto end Donald Trump’s presidency as we know it the minute Speaker Jeffries gets sworn in as speaker of the House of Representatives,” Newsom said. “It is all on the line.”

The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever. It’s disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. He is meeting Wednesday with Republican senators for breakfast at the White House, but no meetings are set with Democrats.

Meanwhile, a loose coalition of senators from both parties are trying to negotiate a way to end the shutdown and resolve the standoff over the health care funds.

▶ Read more about the shutdown

Mamdani spoke directly to Trump as he celebrated his win in the New York City mayoral race Tuesday night, telling the Republican, “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”

“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up!,” Mamdani said.

Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding and take over the city if Mamdani won the race.

“New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” Mamdani said.

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey finished second in a field of seven candidates, behind councilor James Solomon. Since no one received more than 50% of the votes, the two will go head-to-head in a Dec. 2 election.

McGreevey became governor in 2002 and resigned in 2004 with a speech in which he announced he was a “gay American” with his wife looking on.

Since then, he got divorced, earned a Master of Divinity degree and became executive director of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, which helps formerly incarcerated people and veterans find housing and jobs.

Democratic candidates secured again a majority of the chamber’s 100 seats up for election on Tuesday. That means they’ll hold on to the House of Delegates for another two years.

It also means Democrats can keep advancing their plan to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that could allow for the redistricting of the state’s U.S. House map ahead of the 2026 congressional elections. A key step occurred in the General Assembly just last week. Virginia Democrats have said their moves are necessary to respond to Trump-inspired gerrymandering in Republican-led states.

Democrats entered Election Day holding a 51-48 advantage over Republicans, with one vacancy. Members of the Democratic-controlled state Senate are up for reelection in 2027.

The legislative success builds on a big night for Democratic candidates, who also swept the commonwealth’s three statewide posts.

In a victory speech Tuesday night, Mamdani addressed voters in New York City’s mayoral race who didn’t support him, saying, “Thank you for the opportunity to prove myself worthy of your trust.”

“I will wake each morning with a singular purpose: to make this city better for you than it was the day before,” Mamdani said.

He reiterated his plans to address the city’s astronomical cost of living, listing off planks of his campaign messaging.

Charles Munger Jr., who largely bankrolled the campaign against California’s redistricting measure, called on citizens to pressure their leaders to ensure it remains temporary.

Munger supported the creation of the independent redistricting commission that drew the maps voters suspended. He said in a statement Tuesday that voters should ask candidates for governor and the Legislature to “commit unequivocally” to allowing the commission to draw the next round of maps after the 2030 Census.

“For what looms for the people of California, I am saddened by the passage of Proposition 50,” Munger said. “But I am content in this, at least: that our campaign educated the people of California so they could make an informed, if in my view unwise, decision about such a technical but critical issue as redistricting reform, a decision forced to be made over such a very short time.”

Munger said he’d serve as a resource for people looking to reform redistricting at the state and federal levels.

Fresh off his victory, New York City Mayor-elect Mamdani thanked supporters in a rousing victory speech Tuesday night, saying, “We have toppled a political dynasty.”

“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page on a politics that abandoned the many, and answers only to the few,” Mamdani said to cheers.

California voters approved a new U.S. House map designed to boost Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.

The AP declared the winner when polls closed statewide. AP only makes such a call if all evidence suggests an overwhelming victory.

In this case, the “no” side was significantly outspent and stopped spending in the final days. Public polling in the leadup showed California residents were largely supportive of the measure. Preliminary results from the AP Voter Poll pointed in the same direction.

Mamdani greeted his supporters, saying, “Thank you, my friends!”

Democrat Jay Jones told supporters in Richmond after his victory unseating Republican incumbent Jason Miyares that he’ll now work to “protect our jobs, our health care and our economy from Donald Trump’s attacks.”

Jones overcame recent calls for him to leave the race for sending messages in 2022 suggesting the then-GOP House speaker should get “two bullets to the head.” Jones apologized for what he wrote.

“To everyone who didn’t give up on this campaign, I say thank you,” he said to supporters.

Miyares said separately to his supporters he still wished Jones the best even with the widely condemned texts because “we need an attorney general that will focus every day on keeping us safe.”

No candidate in the seven-person field received the majority of the vote in the all-party contest, which is necessary to win the seat outright. The runoff election will occur Dec. 2.

Solomon is a current city councilor. McGreevey is the former governor of New Jersey who resigned over two decades ago when his affair with a man he put on the state payroll was revealed.

Incumbent Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat, chose to run for governor rather than seek a fourth term this year.

The Associated Press declared that Solomon advanced to the runoff at 10:17 p.m. The AP declared that McGreevey advanced at 11:08 p.m.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is the Senate Democratic leader, declined to endorse Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race but called his win “well-earned” and “historic.”

“I have worked collaboratively and productively with Mayor-elect Mamdani on a number of vital issues over the years,” Schumer said in a statement. “I look forward to building on that partnership to keep New York City strong, fair, more affordable, and thriving.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she spoke with Mamdani after he was declared the winner of New York City’s mayoral election, telling him, “I’m looking forward to working together to make our city more affordable and livable.”

“Congratulations to him and to every New Yorker who made their voice heard in one of the city’s highest-turnout elections on record,” Hochul wrote on X.

Hochul, a Democrat, endorsed Mamdani earlier in the race.

“It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win,” the former Democratic president wrote on social media.

After Democrats scored resounding wins in Tuesday’s election, Obama added, “We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.”

Democrat Jay Jones’ election means voters there can count on the commonwealth to join the roster of states challenging Trump administration policies.

Jones defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares while overcoming a late-campaign revelation that he sent text messages in 2022 suggesting the then-GOP House speaker should get “two bullets to the head.” Jones apologized for the message. Trump and other Republicans demanded that he drop out.

Jones unseated Miyares in part by shifting the narrative away from his character and toward the Trump administration. Jones argued he’d be a more willing fighter against Trump’s actions, like shrinking the federal workforce and the passage of a law Democrats argued imperiled the state’s healthcare system.

Jones’ victory also means Democrats swept Virginia’s top three executive positions Tuesday, with governor and lieutenant governor.

The new map, drawn and passed by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, could help flip five seats from Republican to Democratic in next year’s midterm elections. The map would be in place for the next three election cycles.

The measure was introduced in response to Texas’ midcycle redistricting, which also aims to flip five seats to elect more Republicans. The ballot measure, known as Proposition 50, directs California’s independent redistricting commission to resume enacting congressional maps in 2031.

The Associated Press declared the measure passed at 11 p.m. EST.

“That is not right. That is not us,” Cuomo said, quieting his election watch party as they booed while Cuomo was congratulating Mamdani as he conceded the New York City mayoral race.

The former governor conceded the New York City mayoral race to Mamdani on Tuesday night, saying, “Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani.”

“Tonight was their night,” Cuomo told supporters at his election watch party in Manhattan.

In his concession speech, Cuomo took a handful of parting shots at Mamdani, saying, “Almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met.”

He continued, calling his campaign “a caution flag that we are headed down a dangerous, dangerous road.”

New York’s next mayor is already shaping up to be a focal point of Republican messaging in the battle for control of the U.S. House in 2026, according to the party’s campaign arm.

“The Democrat Party has surrendered to radical socialist Zohran Mamdani and the far-left mob now running the show,” said Mike Marinella, spokesperson for the National Republican Campaign Committee.

In a memo released Tuesday titled “One Year Out,” the committee outlined plans to tie Democratic candidates nationwide to Mamdani ahead of the midterms.

“Every House Democrat is foolishly complicit in their party’s collapse, and voters will make them pay in 2026,” Marinella said.

At Mamdani’s election night party in New York, prominent influencers danced alongside older cab drivers, tenant organizers and youth activists for pro-Palestinian, LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights groups to a playlist that veered between Lil Wayne and Arabic and Indian dance music.

Ceyenne Doroshow, a transgender activist, said the raucous party reflected the candidate’s diverse coalition.

“This scene right here is why I feel hopeful,” Doroshow said through tears “It’s a new season of love and courage.”

The losing Republican candidate in New Jersey’s governor’s race addressed supporters Tuesday night, telling them he had spoken to Sherrill and “gave her my very best wishes.”

“It is my hope that Mikie Sherrill has heard us in terms of what we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel that they can achieve their American dream,” Ciattarelli said.

Ciattarelli, who notably didn’t mention Trump in his speech, said the “fight doesn’t end” and that “we fight for another day.”

None of the candidates received at least 50% of the vote in Tuesday’s election.

Minneapolis allows voters to rank up to three candidates in its municipal races. The field for mayor included more than a dozen candidates.

As of 10:41 p.m. EST, Jacob Frey and Omar Fateh had received the most first-choice results.

With her victory, Sherrill leads Democrats to secure three consecutive gubernatorial terms in New Jersey for the first time since the 1960s. No party has held the governorship for more than two consecutive terms since then.

The outgoing Republican lieutenant governor said during her concession speech in northern Virginia that she hoped her gubernatorial opponent would “support policies that will unite us,” and “will strengthen our families and keep up safe.”

Winsome Earle-Sears would have been the first Black woman elected governor nationwide if she had won Tuesday.

The archconservative aligned herself with Trump, backing his second-term agenda while largely shying away from specific policy proposals. But the president didn’t campaign for her in person, and he didn’t mention her by name at a virtual town hall Monday night.

Earle-Sears said she would pray for Spanberger. She said her rival “ran as a moderate. If she governs as one, then she will unite us, and she’ll heal our divide and win our support.”

In a post on X, former President Bill Clinton congratulated Mamdani on his victory, writing: “I’m wishing you success as you work to transform the passion of your campaign into building a better, fairer, more affordable New York.”

Cuomo previously served in Clinton’s cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Mamdani is also receiving kudos from a fellow democratic socialist, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. In a post on X, Sanders said Mamdani “pulled off one of the great political upsets in modern American history.”

Sanders said he’s looking forwarding to working with Mamdani “as he builds a city that works for all.”

The current City Council president addressed those who voted for her and those who didn’t, saying all want a “Detroit that works for everyone.”

Sheffield defeated megachurch pastor the Rev. Solomon Kinloch and will become Detroit’s first female mayor when she takes office in January. She will succeed three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who decided not to seek reelection and is running as an independent for Michigan governor. Duggan endorsed her, calling Sheffield “the best prepared to be the next mayor.”

She inherits a city that continues to improve following Detroit’s 2014 exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Sheffield first was elected to the City Council in 2013 at age 26 and has been council president since 2022.

Kinloch conceded Tuesday night, reiterating that all of Detroit has to share in the city’s revival.

U.S. citizenship is already required to register to vote in Texas.

The Associated Press declared the measure passed at 10:31 p.m. EST.

The measure adds language to the state constitution affirming that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children and bear the responsibility to nurture and protect their children.

The Associated Press declared the measure passed at 10:31 p.m. EST.

Cuomo’s run for mayor came four years after he resigned as New York governor amid allegations of sexual harassment that he continues to deny.

In the race, Cuomo juxtaposed his deep experience in government with Mamdani’s less than five years in the state Legislature.

But Cuomo also faced his own political baggage as his opponents dredged up details about the allegations that led to his resignation, as well as his decisions during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colorado voters have approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on households earning at least $300,000 annually to fund free meals for all public school students.

Previously, free meals were offered only to low-income students and schools via the Healthy School Meals for All Program, which voters approved in 2022.

The Associated Press declared the measure passed at 10:24 p.m. EST.

The vote is a victory for Democrats, who campaigned to keep Wecht and two other justices on the court to maintain its 5-2 Democratic majority.

Pennsylvania elects its statewide judges to 10-year terms, then holds nonpartisan “retention elections” — a simple “yes” or “no” vote — to determine whether the judge will serve another term. Wecht has served on the state Supreme Court since 2016.

The Associated Press declared Wecht retained at 9:51 EST.

Sherrill said the president is “ripping away” health care and targeting the SNAP food aid program and criticized him for something that impacts New Jersey specifically: canceling a project to expand train access to New York City.

Democratic governors across the country have been pushing back on those issues, as well as planned National Guard deployments in their states. Sherrill said she’s joining them.

“Governors have never mattered more,” Sherrill said. “And in this state, I am determined to build prosperity for all of us.”

Ryan defeated Republican nominee James Gardner.

The Democratic New York state senator defeated the incumbent acting mayor, Christopher Scanlon, in the Democratic primary in June. Scanlon was elevated to the position after longtime mayor Byron Brown stepped down late last year to become chief executive officer of Western Regional Off-Track Betting.

Ryan also served in the state assembly. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a lawyer.

The Associated Press declared Ryan the winner at 10:14 p.m. EST.

The second candidate to advance had not yet been decided. No candidate in the seven-person field received the majority of the vote in the all-party contest, which is necessary to win the seat outright. The runoff election will occur Dec. 2.

Incumbent Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat, chose to seek the governorship rather than seek a fourth term this year.

The Associated Press declared the runoff at 10:17 p.m.