State Election News in Virginia, New Jersey, and California

Tuesday’s election in Virginia went as widely expected, with Democrats winning the governor’s race as former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) soundly defeated Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R). Similar to four years ago, when Gov. Youngkin led a Republican sweep of statewide elections, Democrats swept the statewide elections this year. Voters elected Ghazala Hashmi (D) as their next Lt. Governor and Jay Jones (D) as Attorney General over incumbent Jason Miyares (R). In addition, all 100 seats in the House of Delegates were up for election. Democrats’ slim majority will expand considerably as it appears that they have flipped 13 house seats, giving them a 64 to 36 majority next year. The Senate wasn’t up for election in 2025, so the slim 21 to 19 Democrat majority will remain in that chamber. As a result, this makes the state a new trifecta for the Democratic Party.

In New Jersey, pollsters predicted a tight governor’s race, but U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) handily defeated former state Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli (R) at the top of the ticket. Sherrill will replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D) next year, keeping the governor’s seat in Democrats’ control. The only other statewide office up for election this year was Lieutenant Governor, where Dale Caldwell (D) defeated James Gannon (R). Similar to Virginia, all 80 seats in New Jersey’s Assembly were up for election this year. Democrats appear to have expanded their already large majorities to at least 55 seats and potentially giving Democrats a super majority in the chamber next year. Democrats will retain their 25 to 15 seat majority in the Senate.

Although no candidates were on the ballot in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called a special election for voters to decide on a new congressional map that the legislature drafted and approved in August. Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, which allows the state to use the new map for 2026 through 2030. It’s anticipated the new map will provide Democrats the ability to flip five seats currently held by Republicans. The state constitution requires a non-politician commission to draw congressional districts, but Prop. 50 allows Democrats to respond to Republican efforts in other states to draw more partisan maps mid-decade.