Politics

Voters Decide Key Gubernatorial and Mayoral Races in Three States

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Nov 4, 2025

THE BARE STORY

Voters in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York are casting ballots on November 4, 2025, in a series of off-year elections. The contests include gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, a mayoral election in New York City, and a ballot initiative in California. These elections are considered an early measure of the political landscape ahead of the following year's midterm elections.

In New Jersey's competitive governor's race, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, with both candidates expressing confidence on Election Day. President Donald Trump held tele-rallies in support of Ciattarelli. During a debate, Sherrill reportedly accused Ciattarelli of being "complicit" in opioid deaths related to a medical publishing company he owned. Campaigns and outside groups have spent tens of millions of dollars on the race.

Virginia's gubernatorial election between former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears will result in the state’s first female governor. Polls released shortly before the election showed Spanberger leading Earle-Sears. In the state’s attorney general race, a controversy emerged involving Democratic nominee Jay Jones. According to reports, the race tightened after 2022 text messages from Jones were published, in which he envisioned violence against a political opponent. Jones has since issued apologies.

Other major contests include the New York City mayoral race between Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. In California, voters are deciding on Proposition 50, a measure that would change how congressional districts are drawn. President Trump's involvement has varied across the races, including an endorsement for Ciattarelli and the Republican attorney general candidate in Virginia, but a more limited role in the Virginia governor's contest.

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• The party's candidates have received support from President Trump. President Donald Trump has actively supported Republican candidates in key contests. He held tele-rallies to back Jack Ciattarelli's gubernatorial bid in New Jersey and also endorsed the Republican candidate for attorney general in Virginia.

• The Republican candidate in New Jersey has expressed confidence in the competitive race. In New Jersey, Republican Jack Ciattarelli expressed confidence on Election Day regarding his chances in the gubernatorial election. He is running against Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill in a contest that has seen tens of millions of dollars in spending from campaigns and outside groups.

• A key Virginia race has tightened following a Democratic candidate's controversy. Reports indicate that the Virginia attorney general race became more competitive after the publication of controversial text messages from the Democratic nominee, Jay Jones. The 2022 messages reportedly involved Jones envisioning violence against a political opponent, creating an opening for the Republican candidate.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• New leadership in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City could lead to changes in state and local policies on issues like budgets and public services.

• The outcome of California's Proposition 50 could alter how congressional districts are drawn, affecting political representation for residents in future federal elections.

• These results may influence national party strategies for the upcoming midterms, potentially shaping the political contests and candidate choices available to voters nationwide.

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