Democrats have claimed victories in high-stakes elections in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, with economic anxiety and affordability issues serving as central themes. In New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated Jack Ciattarelli, while in Virginia, Abigail Spanberger won over Winsome Earle-Sears. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, won the New York City mayoral race against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The focus on economic concerns marked these races, with Democrats attributing the challenges to the Trump administration’s policies.
Voters in all three states reported that economic issues were their top priority heading into the polls. In New Jersey, the state’s high taxes and economic struggles were cited as major concerns, while in Virginia, half of voters identified the economy as their top issue, more than double those who prioritized healthcare. New York City residents emphasized affordability, with Mamdani’s policies promising a more equitable cost structure.
The Democratic candidates leveraged these concerns to build support, highlighting how Trump’s policies had exacerbated affordability issues. Sherrill criticized Trump’s tariffs as ‘a catastrophe’ for New Jersey families, while Spanberger accused the Trump administration of ‘taking a sledgehammer approach to governing’ that had hurt Virginia’s economy. Mamdani, running on a platform of expanding city control over food and housing, aimed to address the affordability crisis facing New Yorkers.
Trump and other conservatives have criticized Mamdani as a ‘communist’ who threatens New York City’s capitalist economy, while his supporters argue he will ease the burden on residents facing high costs. The Republican losses were attributed in part to Trump’s absence from the ballot and the government shutdown, according to pollsters cited by Trump. These outcomes underscore the growing influence of economic anxieties in shaping electoral outcomes in traditionally liberal states.