WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after Donald Trump retook the White House and set into motion a dramatic expansion of executive power, the Republican president figures prominently in state and local elections being held Tuesday.
The results of these contests—the first general election of Trump’s second term—will be hailed by victors as either a major repudiation or a resounding stamp of approval of his second-term agenda. This dynamic is especially true in high-profile races for Virginia and New Jersey governor, New York City mayor, and a California proposition to redraw congressional district boundaries.
More than half of the states will hold contests on Tuesday. Here’s a look at some of the major statewide and local races on the ballot:
### Governors: New Jersey and Virginia
In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are the nominees to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Sherrill is a four-term U.S. representative and former Navy helicopter pilot. Ciattarelli is a former state Assemblyman backed by Trump. In 2021, Ciattarelli came within about 3 percentage points of toppling Murphy.
In Virginia, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger vie to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Although Spanberger has tried to focus on issues beyond Trump in her stump speeches, the president remained a major theme throughout the campaign. Discussions ranged from comments Earle-Sears made about Trump in 2022 to his more polarizing policies, such as the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill tax and spending cuts and the widespread dismissal of federal workers, many of whom reside in northern Virginia.
Trump was scheduled to participate in telephone rallies for the candidates on Monday night.
As the only gubernatorial races held in the year following a presidential election, these contests have long served as the first major test of voter sentiment toward the party holding the White House. Since 1973, in every Virginia and New Jersey governor’s race, one or both states have elected a governor from a party different than that of the sitting president.
### New York City Mayor
The race to lead the nation’s largest city includes Democratic state legislator Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate and former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani’s comfortable victory over Cuomo in the June primary energized the party’s progressive wing but caused apprehension among party establishment leaders. Figures like Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries eventually endorsed the self-described democratic socialist months after he clinched the nomination.
The winner will replace outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who initially sought renomination as a Democrat. After losing the primary, Adams ran as an independent but dropped out in September and eventually endorsed Cuomo.
In February, the Trump Justice Department asked a court to drop corruption charges against Adams, arguing that the case hindered Trump’s effort to defeat Mamdani.
### California Proposition 50
California voters will decide on a statewide ballot measure that would enact a new congressional map potentially flipping as many as five Republican-held U.S. House seats to Democratic control.
Proposition 50, championed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a response to a new Texas map passed by state Republicans in August as part of Trump’s efforts to keep the U.S. House under Republican control in the 2026 midterms. The Texas plan could flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats, sparking an escalating gerrymandering arms race among states to pass new maps outside of the regular once-a-decade schedule.
### Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is also at stake, as voters will decide Yes or No on whether to retain three justices from the high court’s 5-2 Democratic majority.
Partisan control of the court could have significant implications for the 2028 presidential race, as justices might be called on to rule on election disputes, as they did in 2020.
Spending on Tuesday’s contests is expected to exceed $15 million, with Republicans campaigning to end the Democratic majority and Democrats responding vigorously.
If all three justices are ousted, a deadlock in the confirmation process could result in a court tied at 2-2. Elections to fill any vacant seats for full 10-year terms would occur in 2027.
### Other Notable Contests
– **Virginia Attorney General:** Republican incumbent Jason Miyares seeks a second term against Democrat Jay Jones. The fall campaign has focused heavily on controversial text messages Jones sent in 2022 that suggested violence against political rivals.
– **Texas’ 18th Congressional District:** Sixteen candidates are competing to fill a vacant seat previously held by the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.
– **State Legislatures:** Control of the Minnesota Senate and Virginia House of Delegates is up for grabs. Meanwhile, New Jersey Democrats will defend their 52-28 majority in the General Assembly.
– **Ballot Measures:** Maine voters will decide on statewide questions regarding voting rights and a “red flag” law aimed at preventing gun violence. Texas has 17 ballot measures, including constitutional amendments on parental rights and limiting voting to U.S. citizens. Colorado and Washington also feature statewide measures on their ballots.
– **Mayoral Races:** Detroit, Pittsburgh, Jersey City, and Buffalo will elect new mayors, while incumbents in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati seek another term.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2025 election [here].
https://ktar.com/national-news/whats-on-the-ballot-in-the-first-general-election-since-donald-trump-became-president/5769277/
