One year has passed since Donald Trump returned to the White House, triggering a significant expansion of executive power. As a result, his influence is a key factor in the state and local elections taking place this Tuesday.
These elections, marking the first general election since Trump began his second term, are set to be interpreted as a crucial assessment of his agenda. Victories will reflect either a strong endorsement or a clear rejection of his policies. This sentiment is particularly evident in high-stakes races such as those for the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey, the mayoral race in New York City, and a California proposition aimed at redrawing congressional district boundaries.
More than half of the states are gearing up for elections on Tuesday. Here’s a closer look at some of the key races on the ballot:
Governors: New Jersey and Virginia
In New Jersey, the race features Democrat Mikie Sherrill against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, both vying to succeed the term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Sherrill is a four-term U.S. representative and a former Navy helicopter pilot, while Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman, has Trump’s endorsement. Notably, Ciattarelli narrowly lost to Murphy in 2021 by about 3 percentage points.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger are competing to succeed the term-limited Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Although Spanberger has attempted to shift the focus away from Trump in her campaign, the former president remains a central topic. This includes Earle-Sears’ past remarks and Trump’s controversial policies, such as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ tax cuts and mass federal worker dismissals, which have significant implications for northern Virginia residents.
Donald Trump was slated to support his favored candidates through telephone rallies on Monday night, emphasizing his ongoing influence in these elections.
As the only gubernatorial races held in the year following a presidential election, the contests have long served as the first major test of voter sentiment toward the party holding the White House. In every race for governor since 1973, one or both states have elected a governor from a party different than that of the sitting president.
New York City Mayor
The race to lead the nation’s largest city features Democratic state legislator Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate and former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani’s comfortable victory over Cuomo in the June primary generated excitement from the party’s more progressive wing and apprehension among the party establishment. Party leaders like Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries eventually endorsed the self-described democratic socialist months after he won the nomination.
The winner will replace outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who initially sought renomination as a Democrat. After losing the primary Adams opted to run as an independent, but dropped out of the race in September and eventually endorsed Cuomo. In February, the Trump Justice Department asked a court to drop corruption charges against Adams because the case impeded Trump’s ” immigration objectives.” Trump later said he’d like to see both Adams and Sliwa drop out of the race in an effort to defeat Mamdani.
California Proposition 50
California voters will decide a statewide ballot measure that would enact a new congressional map that could flip as many as five Republican-held U.S. House seats to Democratic control.
Proposition 50, championed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, is in response to a new Texas map that state Republicans enacted in August as part of Trump’s efforts to keep the U.S. House under Republican control in the 2026 midterms. The Texas plan, which could help Republicans flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats, has sparked an escalating gerrymandering arms race among states to pass new maps outside of the regular once-a-decade schedule.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will be at stake when voters cast Yes or No votes on whether to retain three justices from the high court’s 5-2 Democratic majority.
Partisan control of the court could have major implications for the 2028 presidential race, since justices might be asked to rule on election disputes, as they did in 2020. Spending on Tuesday’s contests is on track to exceed $15 million as Republicans have campaigned to end the majority and Democrats have responded.
If all three justices are ousted, a deadlock in the confirmation process to replace them could result in a court tied at 2-2. An election to fill any vacant seats for full 10-year terms would be held in 2027.
Other notable contests
VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Republican incumbent Jason Miyares seeks a second term against Democrat Jay Jones. Much of the fall campaign has focused on text messages suggesting violence against political rivals that Jones sent in 2022.
TEXAS-18: Sixteen candidates hope to fill a vacant congressional seat previously held by the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.
STATE LEGISLATURES: Control of the Minnesota Senate and Virginia House of Delegates is at stake, while New Jersey Democrats defend their 52-28 General Assembly majority.
BALLOT MEASURES: Maine voters will decide statewide questions on voting and a “red flag” law aimed at preventing gun violence. Texas’ 17 ballot measures include constitutional amendments on parental rights and limiting voting to U.S. citizens. Colorado and Washington also have statewide measures on the ballot.
MAYORS: Detroit, Pittsburgh, Jersey City and Buffalo will elect new mayors, while incumbents in Atlanta, Minneapolis and Cincinnati seek another term.
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