Democrats scored a historic sweep Tuesday, capturing key races in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York, leaving Republicans shut out and building momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The night began with major victories in the governor’s offices. The women projected to become New Jersey and Virginia’s governors were both elected to Congress in 2018 and bring national security experience: Abigail Spanberger is a former federal agent and CIA officer, while Mikie Sherrill served in the military. Their elections signal a new generation of experienced Democratic leadership ready to shape state and national policy.
In Virginia, Democrat Jay Jones defeated incumbent Republican Jason Miyares to become the state’s next attorney general. Jones cast himself as a fighter for Virginians, tying Miyares to President Donald Trump and arguing the state needed someone who would “stand up for Virginians impacted by the actions of the Trump administration.” A former assistant attorney general and father of two, Jones frequently cited his family’s long history of public service as motivation—his father, Jerrauld Jones, served for years as a judge on Norfolk’s circuit court and was a member of the House of Delegates.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats successfully defended the liberal majority on the state Supreme Court, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, blocking GOP efforts to flip the balance of power ahead of the next presidential election. Justices Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue, and David Wecht were retained for new 10-year terms, facing no opponents—only a yes-or-no vote on whether to extend their tenures.
Had even two of the justices been voted out, liberals could have lost their 5-2 majority, giving Republicans a chance to shift the court’s ideological balance in replacement elections in 2027. That could have had major consequences for election litigation in the 2028 presidential race, after the court played key roles in both 2020 and 2024, as well as in congressional redistricting.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist whose focus on working-class issues and personal magnetism propelled a once-underdog campaign into the national spotlight, will win the general election for mayor, CNN’s Decision Desk projects. Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for a second time, ending Cuomo’s hopes for a political comeback after his June primary loss. Republican Curtis Sliwa stayed in the race despite pressure from Cuomo allies to consolidate the opposition.
Mamdani’s win marks a major victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, coming at a time when national Democrats are divided on how to counter President Donald Trump, who has derided Mamdani as a “communist” and suggested he’d “take over” the city if elected. The victory elevates Mamdani’s platform, including proposals to freeze rent for New Yorkers in rent-stabilized apartments, make public buses free, and provide universal childcare by raising taxes on the wealthy. He will make history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian to hold the office, and one of the youngest mayors elected in modern times.
Tuesday’s results leave Republicans reeling as Democrats consolidated power in governors’ offices, state courts, attorney general seats, and city halls, reshaping political dynamics in three key states ahead of the midterms and the 2028 election. The outcome also represents a major defeat for President Donald Trump, who worked frantically to rally support for Republicans and even issued threats in an attempt to defeat Mamdani.
