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November 5, 2025
California voters approve new US House map to boost Democrats in 2026
(AP) California voters approved new congressional district boundaries Tuesday, delivering a victory for Democrats in the state-by-state redistricting battle that will help determine which party wins control of the U.S. House in 2026 and, with it, the power to thwart or advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. The approval of Proposition 50 gives Democrats a shot at winning as many as five additional seats, just enough to blunt Texas Republicans’ move to redraw their own maps to pick up five GOP seats at Trump’s urging.
Go to discussionDemocrat Mikie Sherrill elected governor of New Jersey, defeating opponent who aligned with Trump
(AP) U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday was elected governor of New Jersey, shoring up Democratic control of a state that has been reliably blue in presidential and Senate contests but had shown signs of shifting rightward in recent years. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and four-term member of Congress, defeated Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Go to discussionAbigail Spanberger elected Virginia governor in a historic first that boosts Democrats ahead of 2026
(AP) Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to give Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and make history as the first woman ever to lead the commonwealth. Spanberger’s victory will flip partisan control of the governor’s office when she succeeds outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Go to discussionZohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor's race, capping a stunning ascent
(AP) Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker, who was set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations. In a victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Go to discussionDemocrats sweep all 30 House of Delegates seats in Northern Virginia
(CBS 19) Democratic candidates won all 30 of Northern Virginia's seats in the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday as the party seemed likely to significantly expand its 51-49 majority in the state's lower chamber.As of 9:30 p.m. Democrats had already picked up five seats statewide, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Go to discussionPennsylvania reelects Supreme Court justices, extending a Democratic majority on its highest court
(AP) All three of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who sought reelection Tuesday will get another term, ensuring Democratic jurists keep their majority on the presidential battleground state’s highest court — one at the center of pivotal fights over voting rights, redistricting and elections. The result shapes the makeup of the seven-member court through the next presidential election in 2028. The three justices had been elected as Democrats, and voters were deciding whether to extend the court’s Democratic majority. Rejecting all three could have plunged the court into a partisan deadlock if the state’s politically divided government could not agree on temporary appointees to fill in.
Go to discussionDemocrats Flip Two Seats in Deep Red Mississippi, Break GOP Supermajority
(Newsweek) Democrats have broken the Republican supermajority in the Mississippi state Senate for the first time in years, following court-ordered special redistricting elections intended to provide greater representation for the state’s Black voters. It comes as Democrats notched up wins in city and statewide elections across the country on Tuesday in what is being seen as a widespread rebuke of President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
Go to discussionMinnesota Democrats regain the state Senate
(DLCC) Democrats just won control of the Minnesota Senate! Tonight’s majority-deciding special election win was critical to defending DFL control ahead of 2026 when every Minnesota Senate seat will be back on the ballot.
Go to discussionJD Vance's Half-Brother Suffers Humiliating Loss in Mayoral Race
(New Republic) The voters of Cincinnati roundly rejected Cory Bowman in favor of his Democratic opponent. This race was called early in the night after an initial vote tally found that Pureval had won 12,694 votes, compared to Bowman’s 2,835. Pureval was first elected to office in 2021. Vance previously endorsed his half-brother’s campaign ahead of the mayoral primary in May, with just hours left before the polls closed. “He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community. Get out there and vote for him!” Vance wrote on X.
Go to discussionCorey O'Connor wins Pittsburgh mayor's race
(AP) Democrat Corey O’Connor won election as mayor of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. O’Connor defeated Republican nominee Tony Moreno. O’Connor, the Allegheny County controller, defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary earlier this year. He is the son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor. The Associated Press declared O’Connor the winner at 8:26 p.m. EST.
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