Democrats sweep key races in 2025 elections in early referendum on Trump

A day after Republicans faced losses in several states, President Trump said Wednesday he believes his party needs to talk more about affordability — including the successes he believes he's had with containing energy prices and inflation.

"It's no good if we do a great job and you don't talk about it, and I don't think they talk about it enough," he told Fox News' Bret Baier.

The president seemed more surprised by Republican Jack Ciattarelli's loss in the New Jersey governor's race than GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears' loss in Virginia.

"I thought New Jersey would do a little bit better than that," Mr. Trump said. 

Mr. Trump endorsed Ciattarelli but not Earle-Sears, which he pointed out in the interview Wednesday, saying the Virginian "didn't really have my support, my big support."

"My endorsement means a lot to me," he said.

President Trump called Mamdani's victory speech in the New York City mayoral race — which included several jabs at the president — "very angry."

"I think he should be very nice to me," the president told Fox News' Bret Baier. "You know, I'm the one that sort of has to approve a lot of things coming to him, so he's off to a bad start."

Mr. Trump continued: "He has to be a little bit respectful of Washington because if he's not, he doesn't have a chance of succeeding."

Before Tuesday's election, the president had suggested he may withhold federal funding to New York City if Mamdani won. 

"It's going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York. Because if you have a communist running New York, all you're doing is wasting the money you're sending there," he said in an interview with "60 Minutes." 

Mamdani has described himself as a democratic socialist, not a communist.

In remarks to the America Business Forum in Miami, Mr. Trump suggested the outcome of Tuesday's elections would mean Americans would face a stark choice. He sought to portray Mamdani's victory as one that defines Democrats, although he did not mention the New York City mayor-elect by name. 

"After last night's results, the decision facing all Americans could not be more clear. We have a choice between communism and common sense," he said. "… Our opponents are offering an economic nightmare, we're delivering an economic miracle."

"They want higher spending for government and illegal aliens, we want bigger paychecks for American workers and American families, and that's what we're delivering, you see that. They stand for crime and chaos and corruption, we stand for law and order and justice. Also, strong borders." 

Mr. Trump said New Yorkers voting for mayor had a choice between a "communist" and "thug." Mr. Trump has frequently referred to Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as a communist. 

"I said they were voting last night, you could have a communist or a thug. A communist — and they took the communist," he said. 

Mr. Trump opened his remarks to the America Business Forum in Miami by reminiscing about his 2024 election win and campaign and making a brief reference to New York City's election results. 

"On Nov. 5, 2024, the American people reclaimed our government. We restored our sovereignty — we lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York, but we'll take care of it, don't worry about it," he said. "We rescued our economy, regained our liberty, and together, we saved our country." 

Before the election, Mr. Trump had encouraged Republicans in New York to vote for former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he found to be a more palatable option than Mamdani. Cuomo was running as an independent after Mamdani defeated him in the Democratic primary.  

After Republican losses on Tuesday, which Mr. Trump himself said were not good for Republicans, the official White House X account on Wednesday was focused on Mr. Trump's 2024 election victory, one year ago to date. 

"ONE YEAR AGO, HISTORY WAS MADE," one of the multiple posts about 2024 said. "45 BECAME 47. THE MOVEMENT ROARED BACK."

ONE YEAR SINCE THE GREATEST COMEBACK IN AMERICAN POLITICAL HISTORY," another White House post on X said. "THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA IS HERE TO STAY."

"Happy Anniversary! On this day, Nov 5th, one year ago, we had one of the Greatest Presidential Victories in History — Such an Honor to represent our Country," another X post said. "Our Economy is BOOMING, & Costs are coming way down. Affordability is our goal. Love to the American People!"

Other White House posts on X focused on the promises Mr. Trump made that the White House said he's kept. 

 The California Republican Party said Wednesday it will sue to challenge the new congressional map approved by voters under Proposition 50.

The Dhillon Law Group, Assemblyman David Tangipa (R-Fresno), and other California GOP leaders announced the lawsuit the morning after Election Day.

Read more at CBS Sacramento. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat who endorsed Zohran Mamdani shortly before the election, said affordability was "definitely the decisive issue" in Tuesday's elections and that Democratic candidates "leaned in aggressively on driving down the high cost of living and addressing the affordability crisis," which helped cement their wins. 

"Donald Trump promised lower costs on Day One, but costs haven't gone down," Jeffries said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "Costs are going up." 

Jeffries criticized President Trump's tariffs for driving up costs for Americans, who are already struggling with the high costs of housing, food and electricity. Jeffries said Republicans' refusal to negotiate on Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expire at the end of the year, further harms Americans. 

The Democratic leader said the elections show "an extraordinary rejection" of Mr. Trump's "extremism." 

"Republicans woke up this morning and realized that they are no longer in a 2024 electoral environment. That's over, and they're done. They've lost any temporary progress that they've made with working class Americans — gone. Any progress that they've made with the Hispanic community —gone. Any progress that they've made with younger Americans — gone," he said. 

Incumbent Jacob Frey is projected to win the Minneapolis mayoral election, where he'll serve his third term as the leader of the state's largest city.

Minneapolis election officials say Frey won with 50% of the vote, with his closest challenger, state Sen. Omar Fateh, earning 44%. The results are unofficial, and must still be verified.

Despite challenges from a bloc of candidates that included Fateh, Rev. DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton, Frey was able to withstand the challenges of ranked-choice voting. 

He won after two rounds of tabulation, but the Democrat has never won on the first ballot. When he was first elected in 2017, it took six rounds to declare Frey the winner. In 2021, he won after the second round.

Frey, 44, has guided the city through the unrest that followed the 2020 killing of George Floyd, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 

Read more at CBS Minnesota. 

— Aki Nance

Schumer, who did not endorse Mamdani, was asked about a criticism from progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that the Democratic Party cannot succeed in the future without embracing young progressive candidates. 

"Listen, I'm moving forward," Schumer responded. "This morning, I talked with Mayor-elect Mamdani. We had a very, very good conversation. We said that we cared about New York City. And that we look forward to working together to help the city and improve the city. I congratulated him on running a very, very good campaign. And the issue that he has stressed is being stressed by Democrats across the country from one end of the country to the other — the high costs that the Trump administration is imposing on us and their failure to do anything about it." 

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Schumer called Tuesday night's elections a "shellacking" for Mr. Trump and the GOP and said the election results should be a "five-alarm fire" for Republicans. 

"Last night was a shellacking for the Republicans and for Donald Trump," Schumer said. "Last night was clear, unmistakeable, as a repudiation of Trump and a vindication of what Democrats have been fighting for over the last several months and all year. Americans have been feeling the real-world repercussions of Trump's policies for months. They're having trouble paying their bills. And now, this month, as they're getting their health care insurance premium vouchers, they're just scared to death of how they're going to pay it."

"And they know that Democrats are fighting for them and Republicans are doing nothing, nothing to address the health care crisis," Schumer added. "And last night, Republicans felt the political repercussions. It should serve nothing short of a five-alarm fire to the Republicans."

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday morning downplayed the Democratic sweep the night before, saying "what happened last night was blue states and blue cities voted blue."

"We all saw that coming, and no one should read too much into last night's election results," Johnson said. "Off-year elections are not indicative of what's to come."

When asked about Mr. Trump's social media post Tuesday night in which he said the shutdown played a factor into Republican losses, Johnson said, "I don't think the loss last night was any reflection about Republicans at all."

—Jaala Brown

Mamdani said Wednesday that the White House hasn't reached out to congratulate him, but he said he would be "interested" in speaking with President Trump.

"I continue to be interested in having a conversation with President Trump on the ways we can work together to serve New Yorkers, whether that be delivering on his campaign promises around cost of living or the many issues that New Yorkers have been sharing with me about the drastic impacts that the legislation that President Trump has ushered through Washington will mean for them and their lives," Mamdani said. 

Mamdani specifically noted that he would like to talk to Mr. Trump about SNAP benefits.

"I look forward to having these conversations and to making clear that if there is ever anything to be spoken about that could benefit the people of the city, I am ready and willing to speak to anyone about it," Mamdani said. "But if it is a conversation to come at the expense of those people, then I will fight that idea tooth and nail because my job is to serve this city." 

Read more at CBS New York. 

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is giving his first press conference since Tuesday's election, saying he will "work to make sure the handover" from current Mayor Eric Adams is a "seamless one."

"The poetry of campaigning may have come to a close last night at 9 p.m., but the beautiful prose of governing has only just begun. The hard work of improving New Yorkers lives starts now," Mamdani said. 

Mamdani said he will be forming his administration, including deputy mayors and commissioners in the near future. 

Mamdani announced Elana Leopold will lead his transition team, joined by former FTC Commissioner Lena Khan, former First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, United Way CEO Grace Bonilla, and former Deputy Mayor Melanie Hartzog. 

"I am looking forward to every member of our coalition being a part of the transition," Mamdani said. 

Read more at CBS New York.

Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Mamdani was asked about Republicans making him the poster boy for the Democratic Party. 

"I am looking forward to showing the power of an example … of what it means to not just diagnose the despair in working people's lives as the cost-of-living crisis, but to deliver on it," Mamdani said.  

"And that's the contrast between myself and President Trump," he added.

Mamdani said he would stand up to the administration by "utilizing the courts" when necessary. 

Recognizing his message did not resonate with all voters during the campaign, Mamdani said, "I am looking forward to being the mayor for every single person that calls this city home."

— Jared Ochacher, Kathryn Watson

With nearly all ballots counted in the first round, no Minneapolis mayoral candidate garnered enough votes to prevent second-choice votes from being a deciding factor in the race. Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey holds a 10-point lead over his closest challenger, state Sen. Omar Fateh.

This summer, Fateh won the Minneapolis DFL's endorsement in an upset, but it was pulled following a complaint by Frey, who alleged that there was an "extraordinarily high number of missing or uncounted votes." The state DFL eventually sided with Frey, and the city's DFL was barred from endorsing a candidate for mayor this year. 

Read more from CBS Minnesota. 

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield was named the winner of the 2025 mayoral election on Tuesday, the Associated Press projects, becoming the first woman elected to the city's top position.

"Tonight, we will celebrate this historic and monumental victory, but tomorrow, we know we go to work," Sheffield said during her remarks Tuesday night.

Read more from CBS Detroit. 

New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill said Wednesday that she feels her state is set up for "great economic success" despite what she called "constant economic attacks from the federal government."

"At every turn, we're seeing real attacks from the federal government, and that's not even to mention the threats of putting National Guard troops on the streets of different towns across America," Sherrill said on "CBS Mornings." 

Sherrill added that it was "going to take a strong governor here in New Jersey to claw back resources."

Sherrill noted some "big events" coming up in New Jersey — the FIFA World Cup and the nation's 250th anniversary — that she hopes will help federal economic policy, like President Trump's tariffs. 

Affordability was a key issue in the New Jersey race, and Sherrill said in her victory speech on Tuesday that she plans to address property tax rates. 

Speaking to a breakfast for Republican senators, Mr. Trump claims pollsters said the government shutdown was a "big factor" in last night's Democratic victories. 

"I thought we'd have a discussion after the press leaves about what last night represented and what we should do about it," the president said. "And also about the shutdown and how that relates to last night. I think if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor. And they say that I wasn't on the ballot was the biggest factor. But I don't know about that but I was honored that they said that." 

The president said "countless public servants" are not being paid and air traffic controllers "under increasing strain."

"We must get the government back open soon and really immediately," he said, adding that the shutdown is starting to affect the stock market.
 

The president called Tuesday night's election results "interesting" and "we learned a lot." 

"Last night, it was, you know, not expected to be a victory," he said. "It was very Democrat areas. But I don't think it was good for Republicans. I'm not sure it was good for anybody. But we had an interesting evening and we learned a lot."

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey could be on track for decisive victories, just one year after both states moved closer to the GOP.

In a New Jersey race that was widely expected to be close, Sherrill leads Republican Jack Ciattarelli by 13 points (56.2% to 43.2%) with 95% of the vote counted.

And in Virginia, Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by more than 15 points — 57.5% to 42.3% — with 96% of the vote counted.

By comparison, President Trump lost Virginia and New Jersey last year by 5.7 points and 5.9 points, respectively. New Jersey was particularly important for Democrats, since the deep blue state lurched sharply toward Mr. Trump in 2024.

In a speech celebrating the passage of a California redistricting measure, Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested other Democratic states should also redraw their congressional maps.

"We need to see other states, with their remarkable leaders that have been doing remarkable things, meet this moment head-on as well," Newsom said.

Newsom listed Virginia, Maryland, New York, Illinois and Colorado, several of which have weighed redistricting measures ahead of next year's midterm elections.

The governor, who is widely viewed as a possible 2028 presidential contender, argued that other GOP-led states may redraw their maps following efforts by Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, which he referred to as an attempt by President Trump to "rig" the midterms. But he also said a victory next year could stymie Mr. Trump.

"We could 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," he said. "It is all on the line"

Shortly after Republicans faced defeats in several states and Californians passed a ballot measure aiming to redraw their congressional map to favor Democrats, President Trump cryptically wrote on Truth Social: "…AND SO IT BEGINS!"

Democratic New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani thanked supporters in a speech Tuesday night, framing his campaign as a victory over "big money and small ideas."

"Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford," he told the cheering crowd.

In a speech that opened with a quote from socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debs, Mamdani touted his proposals to tackle the cost of living and vowed to work with police. And he directly addressed concerns among Democrats that he could be harmful to the party's brand.

"The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate," he said, listing his age, Muslim faith and identity as a democratic socialist. "If tonight teaches us anything, it is that convention has held us back. We have bowed at the altar of caution and we have paid a mighty price."

He took a dig at former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran against him as an independent after falling short in the Democratic primary.

"My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty," he said. "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 abandons the many and answers only to the few."

Turning his attention to President Trump, he argued, "If there is any way to terrify a despot, is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power." 

He continued: "Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."

Californians who voted "Yes" on Prop 50 overwhelmingly said it was to counter the changes made by Republicans in other states.

Nearly all Democrats backed the measure as did a majority of independents, exit polls currently show.

Poll percentages may have updated since this post was published.

By Jennifer De Pinto and  Fred Backus 

California voters approved a ballot measure to allow the state to redraw its voting district maps to make a handful of congressional seats more favorable to Democrats in the 2026 midterms, CBS News projects. 

Only nine of the state's 52 House districts are currently held by Republicans. 

The measure, Proposition 50, is a response to Republicans redistricting efforts in Texas and other states at the behest of President Trump, who wants his party to retain control of Congress during the last two years of his second term. 

The move could play a pivotal role in next year's elections. In recent years, control of the House has been determined by a narrow margin. 

The measure asked voters whether California should implement a map drawn by the Democratic-controlled state legislature for the next three election cycles, overriding the state's independent redistricting commission.

The effort was spearheaded by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is considering a White House run in 2028.

Read more here. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who did not endorse Democrat Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race and would not say Tuesday how he voted, congratulated the democratic socialist on Tuesday night on his "well-earned and historic victory." 

"I have worked collaboratively and productively with Mayor-elect Mamdani on a number of vital issues over the years — including delivering historic relief to our taxi drivers who were suffering under crushing and unfair debt — and I look forward to building on that partnership to keep New York City strong, fair, more affordable, and thriving," Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a statement. 

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo touted his campaign for New York City mayor as unifying voters across the political spectrum. 

In a speech to supporters Tuesday, Cuomo congratulated Zohran Mamdani — who won the mayoral race — and said his team will "help any way we can because we need our New York City government to work." 

Cuomo had the backing of President Trump, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and moderate Democrats, who were critical of Mamdani's policy proposals. Cuomo ran as a third-party candidate after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani,

"This campaign was the right fight to wage," Cuomo said while speaking to supporters Tuesday night. "This campaign was to contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic Party, the future of this city and the future of this country." 

Cuomo said his campaign served as a "caution flag that we are heading down a dangerous, dangerous road." 

Democratic New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill thanked her supporters and took aim at President Trump in a victory speech. 

Echoing themes from her campaign, she faulted Mr. Trump for uncertainty about food assistance during the government shutdown, and for his vow to "terminate" the Gateway Tunnel project, which would replace the aging train tunnels connecting New Jersey to New York City.

"Governors have never mattered more. And in this state, I am determined to build prosperity for all of our citizens," she told supporters.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli says he called Democrat Mikie Sherrill to congratulate her for winning the New Jersey gubernatorial race.

"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 they can achieve their American dream," he told supporters.

Supporters of New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo urged Republican Curtis Sliwa to drop out for months, aiming to thin out a three-person race with Democrat Zohran Mamdani.

According to exit polling data, Sliwa's withdrawal from the race may have helped Cuomo — but it might not have been enough for the former governor to overcome Mamdani.

About half of Sliwa voters say they would have voted for Cuomo if Sliwa weren't on the ballot in a hypothetical race between just the two of them.

Among voters overall, a hypothetical 2-way matchup between Mamdani and Cuomo would have been close, but Mamdani may have still had the edge.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani did well with voters under 45, and particularly so with voters under 30, according to exit poll data.

One of his biggest campaign promises was to freeze the rent for millions of tenants who live in rent-stabilized apartments. Renters are supporting him in big numbers, a group that made up more than half of those voting.

Mamdani also leads with college graduates, who outnumbered people without college degrees in Tuesday's electorate.

Mamdani leads handily with voters who said the cost of living is their most important issue. 

Meanwhile, Democrat-turned-independent Andrew Cuomo emphasized the issue of crime, as did Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo leads with voters who picked crime as their top issue.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears offered well-wishes to her opponent, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who is projected to win Virginia's gubernatorial race, and said "I hope and pray" that Spanberger governs the state as a moderate.

"I asked her to support policies that will unite us, that will not divide us, that will strengthen our families and keep us safe. And that if I can ever be of help doing that, I'm here. I'm ready to volunteer," Earle-Sears told supporters. "After all, apparently, I have nothing else to do."

Spanberger also thanked her supporters.

"I think I learn more in a loss than I ever do in a victory," she told supporters. "It's either going to tear you apart or it's going to build you. Well, I don't tear apart."

Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, praised Zohran Mamdani for running "an impressive campaign, laser-focused on what matters most to working families in New York." 

"His campaign galvanized and energized voters across New York City and met those voters where they live," Martin said. "Mayor-elect Mamdani's campaign illustrated the power of a big-tent party that focuses relentlessly on lifting up all working people."

Some in the Democratic Party were critical of Mamdani ahead of his election. Establishment Democratic leaders offered lukewarm endorsements of the democratic socialist, or none at all, and moderate Democrats tried to distance themselves from his proposals.

Zohran Mamdani is Republicans' new campaign boogeyman. 

The GOP was quick to attack Democrats after the democratic socialist won the New York City's mayoral race. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the victory will have consequences that "will be felt across our entire nation." 

"Zohran Mamdani's election cements the Democrat Party's transformation to a radical, big-government socialist party," the Louisiana Republican said in a statement. "Now, every House Democrat incumbent and candidate will co-own Mamdani's disastrous record in the 2026 midterms." 

In a separate statement, the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm, said: "Every House Democrat is foolishly complicit in their party's collapse, and voters will make them pay in 2026." 

The Republican National Committee said "Democrats will be held accountable by voters for embracing Mamdani's far-left agenda and the consequences it will bring" in next year's elections. 

In his first public reaction to Tuesday night's election results, President Trump cited "pollsters" who blamed Republican losses on the fact that the president wasn't on the ballot and the government shutdown, which has lasted for more than a month.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "'TRUMP WASN'T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,'" according to Pollsters.

Mr. Trump's comments came shortly after pollster Matt Towery made similar comments on Fox News' "Hannity."

"Shutdown, shutdown, shutdown. That had a big effect on this election," Towery said, referring to the Virginia governor's race, adding, "the GOP has to figure out how to turn out races without Donald Trump on the ballot."

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory on Tuesday in the New York City mayoral race is already fanning the debate about the future of the Democratic Party and what his sudden political stardom could mean for next year's midterm elections. 

"We hope this is demonstrating a very powerful way forward," said Ashik Siddique, a national co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. "This election proves that democratic socialist ideas are very popular." 

His victory is the biggest win for progressives since Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated 10-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018. But history suggests his success isn't likely to translate to a progressive sweep nationwide. 

"It's very reminiscent of 2018 when you had this superstar, young, telegenic and extremely capable candidate win a primary in New York City and set the world on fire," said Matt Bennett, the executive vice president for public affairs for moderate Democratic group Third Way. "But in the end, the thing that really mattered was that 40 seats were flipped, and Nancy Pelosi got the gavel — and those seats were flipped by moderates." 

In the 2024 primary elections, "mainstream" Democrats outperformed progressive candidates, winning about two-thirds of the races, according to a study from the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan think tank. The study also noted just three House candidates and one Senate candidate who identify as democratic socialists won their elections in 2024.

Read more here. 

CBS News projected that Jay Jones, a Democrat and former Virginia state delegate, defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in Virginia's attorney general race after resisting calls to drop out over violent text messages. 

In the final weeks of the race, years-old text messages from Jones were leaked in which the Democrat mused about shooting a political rival. 

Jones faced condemnation from members in both parties and apologized for his comments, which surfaced after a spate of political violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Read more here.

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral race in a major feat for progressives, CBS News projected. 

Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York state assembly member, will become the city's first Muslim mayor. 

He beat Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of New York, who ran as an independent after his defeat by Mamdani in the Democratic primary, as well as Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Read more here.

As results came in Tuesday night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was quick to declare victory for Democrats. 

"Tonight's results are a repudiation of the Trump agenda. The cruelty, chaos and greed that define MAGA radicalism and are skyrocketing costs were firmly rejected by the American people," the New York Democrat said in a statement. 

"If Republicans want to keep blindly following Donald Trump into the abyss of chaos, let them. The rest of America is moving forward," he added. 

Democrat Mikie Sherrill, who flipped a Republican congressional seat in 2018, won the governor's race in New Jersey, CBS News projected. 

Sherrill's victory keeps the governorship in Democratic control after President Trump made advances in the blue state during the 2024 election. 

Sherrill was locked in a close race with Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the final weeks. 

Read more here.

CBS News rates New Jersey's governor's race as likely Democratic. 

Democrat Mikie Sherrill is hoping to keep the governorship in Democratic hands after President Trump made gains in the state in the last election. 

CBS News rates Virginia's attorney general race as lean Democratic, signaling that Jay Jones could overcome a scandal that plagued his campaign in the final weeks after violent years-old text messages surfaced.

Jones is running against incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Speaking after her win, Democrat Abigail Spanberger vowed to serve all Virginia voters, including those who did not vote for her, and said Tuesday's result "sent a message." 

"We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025 Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship," she said in a speech to supporters. "We chose our commonwealth over chaos. You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most — lowering costs, keeping our communities safe and strengthening our economy for every Virginian." 

As polls close in New York City, CBS News has rated the mayoral race as leaning toward Democrat Zohran Mamdani, based on exit polling data and internal analytics.

Mamdani is running against Democrat-turned-third-party candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

Veteran GOP strategist Chris LaCivita, a co-manager of President Trump's 2024 campaign, reacted to Spanberger's victory with harsh words for her Republican opponent, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

"A Bad candidate and Bad campaign have consequences — the Virginia Governors race is example number 1," LaCivita wrote on X.

In 2024, President Trump made gains with Latino voters nationally, narrowing the gap with Democrat Kamala Harris to just single digits (she won the group by just five points). 

In New Jersey, Mr. Trump also made inroads in Latino communities such as Passaic County.

On Tuesday, Democrat Mikie Sherrill is performing well with Latino voters, exit polls currently show. She leads with them by a wide margin.

The economy was the top issue for Latino voters in New Jersey, and most said the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions have gone too far.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

Democrat Abigail Spanberger's win in the Virginia governor's race was fueled in part by voters who picked the economy as their most important issue and those who say they were impacted a "a lot" by federal government cuts, according to exit polling data.

She won with support from more traditional Democratic groups like women and Black voters, and made some inroads with groups that backed Republican Glenn Youngkin in 2021 in his run for governor. 

Independents went for Youngkin in 2021, but swung to Spanberger this year.

In 2021, Youngkin ran on a platform on parental rights and won the backing of parents. But four years later, parents backed Spanberger. 

Most Virginia voters disapprove of the job President Trump is doing as president, and roughly two-thirds of Spanberger's voters say a reason for supporting her was to oppose Mr. Trump.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won the Virginia lieutenant governor's race against Republican John Reid, CBS News projects. 

In Virginia, the governor and lieutenant governor do not run on a joint ticket. CBS News projected earlier Tuesday that former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger won the governor's race against GOP Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears.

CBS News rated Virginia's lieutenant governor's race as likely Democratic, giving Ghazala Hashmi the edge over Republican John Reid.  

CBS News rates the New Jersey governor's race as lean Democratic, as polls close in the state. Democrat Mikie Sherrill is facing off against Republican Jack Ciattarelli for the position, which is currently held by Democrats.

Former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to be Virginia's next governor, CBS News projected.

Spanberger makes history as the first woman to serve in the role. 

Spanberger, who ran as moderate, flipped the seat, which is currently held by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Youngkin is prohibited from running for a consecutive term under state law. 

The race is widely seen as a referendum on President Trump, who did not endorse Earle-Sears. On Monday, Mr. Trump did not mention her by name when he held a telephone rally with the state GOP. 

Read more here.

CBS News now rates the Virginia governor's race as likely Democratic — meaning former Rep. Abigail Spanberger is likely to defeat Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger is performing better with some key groups than Democrat Terry McAuliffe did in 2021, when he lost to Republican Glenn Youngkin.

Spanberger leads with women by double digits, voter groups that McAuliffe won by just seven points in 2021. The economy was top of mind for women voters, and those who picked it as their top issue are backing Spanberger.

She is also doing better with Black voters and voters under 30.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is getting strong backing from White evangelical voters and conservatives.

Poll percentages may have updated since this post was published.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

As polls close in Virginia, CBS News rates the state's gubernatorial race as lean Democratic, while the race for attorney general remains a toss-up.

The contest for lieutenant governor also leans Democratic.

In the race for governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger is competing against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for reelection against Democratic nominee Jay Jones.

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi and Republican John Reid are facing off for lieutenant governor.

Tuesday's state and local elections in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and a handful of other locales have drawn national attention — leading some excited Kentuckians to try to head to the polls, says Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams.

"We're getting calls about polls being closed. They are closed because we do not have elections today. Kentucky votes next year," Adams wrote in a post on X. "You cannot vote today in Kentucky for the mayor of New York City or the Governor of Virginia. Sorry."

While the economy outranks immigration as a top issue, voters did weigh in on President Trump's actions on immigration.

In New Jersey, more than half of voters think the Trump administration's actions on immigration enforcement have gone too far.

And we do see some differences in how voters in New Jersey want their next governor to deal with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement and how New York City's voters want their next mayor to approach that.

While divided, more voters in New Jersey want their next governor to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement than voters in New York City do. In New York City, most voters would rather see their next mayor not cooperate with the Trump administration on this.

Views in California — which has been home to a number of ICE operations — are similar to New York City. As voters cast ballots on Proposition 50, most want their governor not to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement.

*Poll percentages may have updated since this post was published.

By Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

New York City voters were out in droves today, casting ballots aligned with the issues that matter most to them. By 3 p.m., more than 1.4 million New Yorkers had voted, including the tally from early voting.

Many New Yorkers said their votes were guided by campaign promises of the candidates, Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa.

"I think it's a really important election. We kind of just need a new wave of change," Manhattan resident K.C. Pruitt said.

Throughout the five boroughs, voters said the No. 1 issue on their minds is affordability.

For the latest in the New York City mayor's race, follow along here.

By CBS New York

As Californians vote on whether to approve a congressional redistricting plan, about half of the state's voters don't think either political party — Democratic or Republican — has been fair in their handling of redrawing district lines, according to exit polling data.

More generally, regardless of how they are voting, a majority of California voters say each state's congressional district lines should be drawn by a nonpartisan commission rather than the party in power. California currently has an independent redistricting commission, but the measure on Tuesday's ballot would temporarily sideline the panel and change the state's House districts in response to Texas' redistricting efforts.

The president is a factor here for more than half of voters — more to show opposition to him than support.

By Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus

Events overseas have played a role in this local campaign race. Most New York City voters overall say the candidates' positions on Israel were a factor in their vote, although it is a major factor for fewer than half. It is more of a factor for Jewish voters.

By Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus

In Virginia, most voters say federal government cuts this year have affected their family's finances, including about one in five who report being affected a lot. This includes many who have been employed by the federal government this year. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger has focused her campaign on affordability and has been critical of the Trump administration's cuts to the federal government. 

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears has emphasized issues and policies concerning transgender people, and about half of Virginia's voters think support for transgender rights in society have gone too far, particularly Republicans. 

In New Jersey, each of the candidates for governor emphasized affordability in their campaigns, and taxes and the economy are the top issues for voters.

Taxes are more of a priority for Republican Jack Ciattarelli's voters, while the economy is the most important issue for Democrat Mikie Sherril's supporters.

Most also say property taxes and electricity costs are big problems in the area where they live, exit polls currently show.

By Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus

Three in four New York City voters say the cost of housing is a major problem. Most call crime a problem, but fewer than half call it a "major" one.

A lot of the campaign has been defined by whether voters want a mayor with experience or a change agent. Both of those traits top a list of what the city's voters are looking for in a candidate. 

Democrat Zohran Mandami's voters are more likely to be looking for someone who will bring needed change, while those backing lifelong Democrat-turned-third-party candidate Andrew Cuomo are looking for someone with experience. 

By Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus

Early exit polls show economic concerns are what's on the minds of voters as they cast ballots in key elections in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City and California.

Worries about the economy are coupled with broader discontent with the state of the country right now.  In Virginia and New Jersey, roughly two-thirds of voters are dissatisfied or angry about the way things are going. It's even higher in California. 

And President Trump looms over the contests in these historically Democratic-leaning places, with many saying he is a factor in their vote, and more so to express opposition to him than support, according to early exit polls. 

This is not uncommon in off-year elections, which are often partly a referendum on the sitting president. (In the 2021 Virginia race for governor, about half of voters said their vote was at least, in part, about then-President Joe Biden)

President Trump's overall job rating is underwater — with more who disapprove than approve of his job performance — in each of the places where exit polls are being conducted: Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California.

In these contests for elected office, most voters made up their minds about their candidate a long time ago, but  roughly a quarter in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City, made their decision in the last month.

By Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican running for reelection, suggested in the final hours of voting that voters consider backing him in the AG race and a Democrat in the gubernatorial race.

Miyares posted a video Tuesday morning in which he spoke with a voter named Dave who supports Democrat Abigail Spanberger for governor but voted for Miyares for attorney general.

In the caption, Miyares wrote, "Dave's splitting his ticket — you can too." 

In other cases, Miyares has encouraged people to vote for the entire GOP ticket — including Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.

But Miyares has been courting split-ticket voters following the recent controversies surrounding his Democratic rival for attorney general, Jay Jones, who sent violent and inflammatory texts in 2022. 

Miyares was running several points ahead of Earle-Sears in pre-election polls.

President Trump has endorsed candidates in most — but not all — of Tuesday's biggest races.

• The president has enthusiastically endorsed New Jersey's GOP candidate for governor, Jack Ciattarelli. He held a telephone rally for Ciattarelli on the eve of the election: "This is the biggest election — the entire country is watching New Jersey," he said.
• Mr. Trump also gave Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for reelection, his "complete and total endorsement," boosting Miyares and Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid in a tele-rally Monday.
• Notably, the president hasn't endorsed Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears by name, though he has encouraged Virginians to vote for the entire Republican ticket and attacked Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger.
• The president has repeatedly encouraged people to vote for New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who is running third-party against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani — likely an unwelcome endorsement for Cuomo, who has long sparred with Mr. Trump. "I'm not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other, but if it's gonna be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I'm gonna pick the bad Democrat all the time, to be honest with you," the president told "60 Minutes." (Mamdani describes himself as a democratic socialist, not a communist.)
• Mr. Trump called California's redistricting plan a "GIANT SCAM." He has supported redistricting efforts in several Republican-leaning states.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, declined to say who he voted for in the New York City mayoral race. 

"I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help New York City," he said.

Schumer has not endorsed the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, defeated Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of New York, in the primary. Cuomo then ran as an independent, and won the support of some Democrats who have been critical of Mamdani — and even President Trump. 

The president said Monday in a Truth Social post, "Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job," the president said in a Truth Social post. 

Mr. Trump also said if Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday, "it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success or even survival!" 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, endorsed Mamdani just a day before early voting began in late October, but has not appeared enthusiastic about his campaign. 

Proposition 50 would allow California Democrats to temporarily change the boundaries of U.S. House districts and make them more favorable to Democrats. It's an initiative intended to respond to President Trump's push for Republican-controlled states, like Texas, to change their congressional maps and give the GOP a better shot at holding on to its narrow House majority in next year's midterm elections.

California has 52 congressional districts, 43 represented by Democrats and nine by Republicans. The five GOP-led districts targeted under Proposition 50 are District 1, represented by Rep. Doug LaMalfa; District 3, represented by Rep. Kevin Kiley; District 22, represented by Rep. David Valadao; District 41, represented by Rep. Ken Calvert; and District 48, represented by Rep. Darrell Issa.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who pushed Prop 50 through California's Assembly, rallied supporters of the measure in San Francisco on Monday night.

"We're going to get out there and win and send a powerful message not only to the people of the state of California, but the people all over the United States of America," Newsom said. 

A recent CBS News poll found that among voters who plan to support Proposition 50, one reason they're doing so is to oppose the Trump administration — which they also feel generally treats California worse than other states — and oppose national Republicans. 

Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is running against former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the race, and in either case, the winner will make history in the commonwealth as its first female governor. If Earle-Sears wins, she'll become the first female Black governor. 

There's no incumbent in this race — there never is, since Virginia governors may not run for consecutive terms under state law. 

Virginia's gubernatorial election is often seen as a potential referendum on the incumbent president. The president's party often loses the Virginia governor's race, which always falls in the year following a presidential election. 

Spanberger has made it clear she's running against Mr. Trump's policies during the campaign, saying, "It is because of the trade wars and the retaliatory tariff policies and the attack on Virginia, our economy and our people, that we recognize the possibility of November 4."

The Trump administration's broadsides against the federal workforce hit Virginia hard, since the state has hundreds of thousands of civilian federal employees and contractors. Besides the reduction-in-force cuts by the administration, federal workers are taking an economic hit in the government shutdown that's now stretching into its second month.

Earle-Sears has focused on immigration and transgender issues, and in their October debate, she pressed Spanberger on whether she'd keep transgender youth out of girls' high school sports and bathrooms. 

During the campaign, Earle-Sears has campaigned alongside Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but she was not endorsed by President Trump. Mr. Trump appeared in a telerally on Monday night for the Republican ticket, attacking Spanberger and encouraging people to vote for Republicans, but he didn't mention Earle-Sears by name.

New Jersey voters are deciding between former GOP New Jersey state Rep. Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the race for governor today.

Sherrill, who flipped a Republican congressional seat in 2018, is running as a moderate and trying to tie Ciattarelli to President Trump. Ciattarelli counters that Sherrill is blaming Mr. Trump for everything.

Both candidates are appealing to voters' concerns about the high cost of living: Ciattarelli is touting a "Make New Jersey Affordable Again" pitch, while Sherrill features an "Affordability Agenda" on her campaign website. 

In September, CBS News reported that a branch of the National Archives released a mostly unredacted version of Sherrill's military records to an ally of Ciattarelli in error. 

Republicans allied with Ciattarelli have been examining Sherrill's record in the Navy, looking for information about a Naval Academy cheating scandal that implicated over 100 midshipmen. Sherrill was not accused of wrongdoing but did not walk in her graduation, which she said was because she "didn't turn in some of my classmates." Sherrill had an unblemished career in the Navy and, as a midshipman, received a Navy Achievement Medal in 1991 for saving the life of a classmate.

The mayoral race between Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa had record-breaking early voting turnout before polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday across the five boroughs. 

By noon, the City Board of Elections had reported 1,195,062 voter check-ins — including 735,317 during early voting. Brooklyn has the highest voter turnout so far, followed by Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Polls stay open until 9 p.m. ET.

In addition to the mayor's race, New Yorkers are also voting for several other local offices and six ballot proposals. 

Several polling sites in New Jersey received threats this morning, but two senior homeland security officials and a federal law enforcement source said there are currently no credible threats to polling sites nationwide, including in New Jersey. Those threats were determined to be a hoax.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said in a statement that the bomb threats resulted in the closure of several polling sites. After law enforcement determined the threats were not credible, some were reopened. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said other polling sites remained closed and voters were being directed to cast their ballots at nearby locations instead.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency promised Tuesday to "steadfastly operate within its statutory mission to protect the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats," even amid the shutdown, which CISA director of public affairs Marci McCarthy blamed on Democrats.

Voters headed to the polls today in several states, with races that are being closely watched in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia. New York City is choosing a new mayor, while New Jersey and Virginia voters are electing a governor. In California, redistricting is on the ballot as Proposition 50. Each of these races could be viewed early bellwethers for next year's midterm elections.

Here are the poll closing times for those races:

7 p.m. ET: Polls close in Virginia

8 p.m. ET: Polls close in New Jersey

9 p.m. ET: Polls close in New York

11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT): Polls close in California

If you're in line when polls close, you'll be allowed to vote.