The Democratic victory in Tuesday's gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey marked the first major setback to President Donald Trump's influence, as his party also lost in Pennsylvania, a key state where he attempted to reverse the progressive majority in the state Supreme Court. Two Democratic candidates, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, won against Trump-backed candidates with messages contrasting with the Trumpist agenda and presented themselves as moderate alternatives focused on the economy and social programs. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger became the state's first female governor, defeating Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears with about 55% of the vote to 45%. Her victory marks the recovery of the governorship for the Democrats after four years under Republican Glenn Youngkin and underscores a flight of moderates who are distancing themselves from the Trump administration, which has been in power for eight months. "Tonight, we sent a message (...) that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our community over chaos," Spanberger said in her victory speech in Richmond in front of hundreds of followers. In New Jersey, former Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a Trump ally, and extends Democratic control of the state's executive branch. Sherrill's victory was seen as a rejection of the Republican-Trumpist agenda, especially in a state where Democrats were on alert after advances by Trump's party in recent elections. "I am honored by the trust of the voters of New Jersey. I will work to improve the cost of living, public services, and unite the community above political divisions," said Mikie Sherrill after her victory was confirmed. In both New Jersey and Virginia, initial data by county and demographic segments shows a decline in Republican voters compared to the presidential elections a year ago. The election day also included another state-level defeat for Trump, who had campaigned against the retention of three progressive Supreme Court justices in the key electoral state he won in the last election. Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht secured majority support for a special election allowing voters to decide whether they want some judges to remain in their seats. The result maintains the 5-2 progressive majority on the court. Trump also suffered a setback in New York with the clear victory of Democrat Zohran Mamdani in the mayoral election, with a historically high turnout. Electoral analysts have marked Tuesday's election results as an erosion in the coalition of voters who mobilized to support Trump in last year's general elections, a type of national contest that differs, however, from strategies for local elections. Democrats centered their campaigns on the impact of Trump's economic and social measures in his first months in office on inflation, civil liberties, and greater inequality.
