Democrats dominate in the first elections since Trump returned to the White House

In the first major election since President Trump returned to office, Democrats celebrated their election victories from coast to coast. The next mayor of New York City will be the democratic socialist Zahran Mamdani, and two moderate Democrats will be the governors of New Jersey and Virginia. The election made history in many ways, serving as a referendum on Trump and his policies. Liz Landers reports.

Jeff Bennett:

Welcome to the News Hour.

In the first major election since President Trump returned to office, Democrats celebrated victories from coast to coast. The next mayor of New York City will be democratic socialist Zahran Mamdani. Two moderate Democrats, Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, will be the next governors of New Jersey and Virginia, respectively.

Amna Nawaz:

Other victories went beyond the big races. In Pennsylvania, voters kept three Democrats on the state Supreme Court. In Albany, they elected the city’s first black mayor. After all, the election made history in many ways, serving as a referendum on Mr. Trump and his policies.

Our White House correspondent, Liz Landers, is leading our coverage tonight.

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Liz Landers:

For Democrats across the country, the victory lap after big ballot victories last night represents a clean sweep for the party in major races from coast to coast.

Zahran Mamdani (Democrat), New York City Mayor-elect: Hope is alive.

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Liz Landers:

Starting with big changes in the Big Apple. New York City saw its highest turnout in a mayoral election in more than 50 years, and more than half of voters supported Zahran Mamdani.

Zahran Mamdani:

New York, tonight you delivered a mandate for change.

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Liz Landers:

This self-styled democratic socialist makes history as the first elected Muslim mayor, and at just 34 years old, he is the youngest person to hold the position in more than a century. The city’s elected mayor overcame a challenge from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as massive pressure from President Trump, who threatened to cut off federal support for the city.

Zahran Mamdani:

So, Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching…

Liz Landers:

The elected mayor immediately assumed the position of president.

Zahran Mamdani:

If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it’s the city that gave birth to him.

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Zahran Mamdani:

If there is any way to intimidate the tyrant, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power.

(Cheering)’

Liz Landers:

Across the river in New Jersey…

MICKIE SHERRELL (D-N.J.), Governor-elect: And I am deeply honored to be your next governor.

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Liz Landers:

…Democrat Mikie Sherrill won a decisive victory over her Republican rival and Trump ally Jack Schiattarelli in a state where the president made significant gains last year.

Mickey Sherrill:

I’ve spoken to thousands of you over the past year. I know your struggles. I know your hopes. I know your dreams. So your service is worth any tough battle I have to fight.

Liz Landers:

Sherrill’s victory marks the first time in more than 50 years a political party has served as governor in the Garden State for three consecutive terms.

It was a good night for Democrats in Virginia, too.

Abigail Spanberger (D-Virginia), Governor-elect: Adam told our daughters, “Your mother is going to be governor-elect of Virginia.”

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Abigail Spanberger:

And I can guarantee those words have never been spoken in Virginia before.

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Liz Landers:

Abigail Spanberger will be the state’s first woman governor. Also, its deputy governor, Ghazala Hashmi, will be the first Muslim woman to be elected to a state-level office in the country.

Embattled candidate Jay Jones ousted the incumbent Republican attorney general, overcoming a scandal over violent text messages he sent in 2022 suggesting a state lawmaker should be shot. Nearly every county in the state swung Democratic from last year, helping deliver a large majority in the state Legislature.

Those races weren’t the only Democratic victories. In Georgia, Democrats flipped two seats on the commission that regulates public utilities in the state. In Pennsylvania, three Democrats on the Supreme Court will retain their seats for another 10 years. In Maine, voters rejected Republican-backed efforts to restrict voting access.

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA):

But what a night for the Democratic Party.

Liz Landers:

The issue of increased redistricting was also on ballots across the country in California. Voters overwhelmingly approved a new congressional map that could help Democrats win five additional House seats next year. Republicans quickly filed a lawsuit today to block it.

Governor Gavin Newsom launched the redistricting effort just a few months ago to deter President Trump and Republican redistricting efforts that began in Texas and expanded to several other states.

Governor Gavin Newsom:

This is the pattern. This is a practice. Donald Trump’s efforts to rig the midterm elections continue to this day. And tonight, after poking the bear, that bear growled with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an unusual result.

Liz Landers:

Speaking to Republican lawmakers today, President Trump had a different view.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Last night, victory was not expected. They were very democratic areas. But I don’t think that was in the Republicans’ favour. I don’t think it was good. I’m sure it would have been good for anyone. But we had a fun evening and learned a lot.

If you read the polls, the shutdown was a big, negative factor for Republicans. This was a big factor. They say that my failure to vote was the biggest factor.

Liz Landers:

Republican candidates in both New Jersey and Virginia have closely aligned themselves with the president. But Trump didn’t make it to the campaign trail for either. In their concession speeches last night, Republicans congratulated their Democratic opponents, but did not apologize either.

Virginia gubernatorial candidate, Winsome Earl Sears:

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears (R-Va.), gubernatorial candidate: Virginia is not a far-left state. We will hold accountable anyone who tries to impose leftist ideology on us.

Liz Landers:

The GOP left tonight to reconsider its strategy, while Democrats feel they may have discovered a blueprint for next year’s blue wave.

On the “PBS News Hour,” I’m Liz Landers.