In the first electoral test of President Donald Trump’s second term, Democrats won a landslide victory in a closely watched race across the country.
Zoran Mamdani won the mayoral race in New York City, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill were elected governors in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively, and early results showed that Prop. 50, a redistricting measure aimed at countering Republican map redrawing in Republican-led states, was successful in California.
Take a closer look at the maps showing the issues and results of each election.
California Proposition 50 passes, allowing for legislative redistricting
Unofficial results on the night of Nov. 4 showed Californians passed Proposition 50. It’s a Democratic-led redistricting plan aimed at offsetting Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s own redistricting.
Many states are considering the idea of redistricting, but few have concrete plans. This is because redistricting typically occurs at the beginning of every decade, and some states prohibit mid-decade changes. California and Texas have the most seats so far, and changes there could determine who controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections.
California could flip six seats from Republicans to Democrats, according to a USA TODAY analysis. Let’s take a closer look at how the margins (differences in the percentage of people who voted for each party) change in each district in California under the new map.
Democrats win Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections
Democrats are facing high-stakes gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, which could set the stage for the 2026 midterm elections.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won with a consistent poll lead of about 10 points over her Republican opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears. New Jersey Democrat Mikie Sherrill emerged the victor after a dead heat with Republican Jack Ciatarelli in the polls days before the race.
The two elections held every four years are considered a barometer of American voters’ evaluation of the party in power, as they are the first major elections after a president takes office. This year is no exception. Trump’s name is not on the ballot, but he was a major player in both elections.
Mr. Ciattarelli was once a non-Trump Republican, but he has sided with the president. He told the USA TODAY Network that he speaks with Trump every few weeks.
Gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey have a predictable history.
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia have a track record of electing governors from the president’s opponents. Let’s take a look at how these states have voted in the past.
Did Virginia and New Jersey vote for Trump in 2024?
In the 2024 presidential election, Virginia and New Jersey tilted toward the Democratic Party, but Trump made inroads in both states. In New Jersey, the state lost 10% less than in 2020.
Zoran Mamdanani wins New York mayoral election
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, won the New York mayoral election on a progressive platform of fighting inequality, protecting immigrant rights and making housing more affordable. Many similar issues affect voters across the country. The mayor of New York City commands national attention because he runs America’s largest city.
Did Texas redistricting pass?
Yes, but not in this election. In August, the Texas Republican Party approved a new state legislative map aimed at flipping U.S. House seats in the 2026 election. In an 88-52 vote on Aug. 20, Republican lawmakers advanced an unprecedented redistricting measure in mid-decade that improved the party’s chances of securing a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Contributors: Janet Loehrke, Michael Collins, Erin Mansfield, Terry Collins.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
