
In what experts are calling a major rebuke of the second Trump administration by the American people, Democrats won big in races across the country last night.
The November 4 off-year elections saw Democrats annihilate their Republican and independent opponents in everything from gubernatorial and mayoral races to judicial retention votes to state legislative elections to commission races, as well as in a historic, unprecedented ballot measure.
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Analysts have said the Democrats could not have had a better night, as candidates across the country not only won their elections but, in many cases, made history. And in many races, Democrats won by such large margins that news organizations declared winners within minutes of polls closing.
“This is as big as it gets,” said MSNBC host Joe Scarborough.
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For many, the results have renewed hope that all is not lost for democracy and that, as the shutdown continues and Americans suffer economically, the Republicans do not have the hold on the American electorate that the current balance of power suggests.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is enraged. The president ranted on Truth Social that unnamed “pollsters” claimed “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT.”
In a follow-up post, he reiterated his call to Republicans to terminate the filibuster and demanded they “GET BACK TO PASSING LEGISLATION AND VOTER REFORM,” which is a dog whistle for voter suppression.
Here’s a glimpse into Democrats’ victorious evening that has the president rattled.
1. Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia’s next governor
Spanberger will become the first woman governor of the state, replacing viciously anti-LGBTQ+ Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Spanberger beat anti-LGBTQ+ Republican opponent Winsome Earle-Sears.
2. Mikie Sherrill will be New Jersey’s next governor
Sherrill’s victory marks the first time since 1961 that the state has had three consecutive Democratic gubernatorial terms.
3. Zohran Mamdani will be New York City’s next mayor
The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist has taken the city by storm. He will be the city’s youngest leader in over a hundred years after an election that saw the largest voter turnout in decades.
4. California’s Prop 50 wins in a landslide to counteract the GOP’s redistricting crusade
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is receiving widespread praise for the speed with which he stood up to Republican
On their election night panel last night, MSNBC hosts mused about the massive voter turnout for a single ballot question, even though no candidates were running in the state.
5. Pennsylvania Supreme Court remains in Democratic Control
Voters said “Yes” to retaining all three Democratic justices on the ballot, which means the court’s 5-2 Democratic majority holds. The retention vote was considered critical to maintaining a fair presidential election in 2028, when many expect Trump and the Republican Party to challenge Pennsylvania’s results if Democrats win.
6. Virginia House sees Blue wave
Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have flipped at least 13 seats (with one race not yet called), significantly increasing the Democratic majority in the chamber.
7. Ghazala Hashmi wins Virginia Lieutenant Governor
Hashmi is the first Muslim woman in the country elected to statewide office.
8. Jay Jones wins Virginia Attorney General
Jones won his race despite leaked and highly controversial texts in which he wished harm upon a Republican and his family (he later apologized). Experts have said the fact that he still won shows just how badly voters want Democrats in office.
8. Peter Hubbard & Alicia Johnson flip seats in a red state
The pair defeated two Republican incumbents on the Georgia Public Service Commission, becoming the first Democrats to win statewide constitutional office in the state since 2006.
9. Democrats win big in New Jersey Assembly
Victories across the state last night have given Democrats in the New Jersey state Assembly (the state’s lower chamber) a supermajority and the largest Democratic majority since 1973.
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