Democrats sweep three massive elections where economy loomed large

Democrats claimed victory in three high-stakes elections largely focused on economic anxiety and affordability issues.

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, while former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican challenger Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia gubernatorial race. In the Empire State, Democratic socialist candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani claimed victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

The three victories come as Republicans strive to make inroads in historically liberal or left-leaning jurisdictions, including campaigning on lower taxes.

In all three elections, the economy and affordability were the top concerns, according to polling data, with liberal candidates tending to blame the White House for economic anxiety.

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Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, speaks during an interview on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” October 15, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press)

In New Jersey, voters said the state’s notoriously high taxes and the economy were their top issues before heading to the polls, according to Fox News Voter Poll data. In Virginia, half of voters said the economy was their top concern, more than double the number who said health care was their top concern, according to Fox poll data.

In New York, affordability was by far voters’ top concern, according to Fox News Voter Poll data, with Mamdani scoring a significant victory over her challengers. Mamdani campaigned on policies such as city-run grocery stores to reduce food costs, eliminating bus fares, implementing rent freezes on rent-stabilized housing, and other affordable housing proposals.

Voters responded by voting for Democrats after President Donald Trump’s decisive victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris just over a year ago in a federal election that also focused on the economy amid soaring inflation.

Former Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger celebrates as she takes the stage during her campaign night rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on November 4, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump and other conservatives criticized Mamdani as a “communist” who threatens New York City’s massive economy and a symbol of American capitalism, while his left-wing supporters argued he would ease the cost burden for residents facing sky-high rents, taxes and food prices.

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“Zohran Mamdani, a 100% communist madman, just won the Democratic primary and is on his way to becoming mayor,” Trump said. wrote on Truth Social in June. “We’ve had left-wing radicals before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is squeaky, he’s not very intelligent.”

The trio of high-profile Democrats who won their elections campaigned in part against Trump administration policies and affordability issues.

Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for New Jersey, registers to vote at a polling place at Hillside Elementary School in Montclair, New Jersey, November 4, 2025. (John Lamparski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Donald Trump needs to answer Virginians directly about why he is actively killing Virginia jobs and hurting Virginia’s economy,” Spanberger said in October. “The Trump administration took a heavy-handed approach to governing that harmed Virginia’s workers, businesses, and economy.”

Sherrill described the current economy as a “disaster,” saying in particular that Trump’s tariffs would be disastrous.

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“Donald Trump just implemented the biggest tax increase of my lifetime – an economic disaster for New Jersey families,” Sherrill said in April as Trump announced increased tariffs on foreign countries. “It will increase costs by nearly $4,000 a year, and many companies have already announced layoffs. It’s no wonder the Wall Street Journal called this ‘the stupidest trade war in history’.”

New Jersey, a historically deep blue state, was seen as most likely to turn red after the 2024 federal election showed Trump making inroads with Garden State voters, including flipping five counties to the GOP.

The trio of high-profile Democrats who won their elections campaigned in part against Trump administration policies and affordability issues. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

After Spanberger’s victory Tuesday, she celebrated that it would reinvigorate the Old Dominion state’s economy.

“Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship,” Spanberger said. “We chose our community over chaos.”

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“All of you chose leadership who will relentlessly focus on what matters most: lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and strengthening our economy for every Virginian,” she said.

Trump responded to Democrats’ victories Tuesday by citing pollsters who said the ongoing government shutdown was partly due to Republican losses.

“’TRUMP WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT, AND THE SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS WHY REPUBLICANS LOSED THE ELECTION TONIGHT,’ according to pollsters,” Trump posted on Truth Social.