Trump Backlash Fuels Democratic Wins in Key Elections

ARLINGTON, Virginia — Voters in several key races expressed dissatisfaction with Donald Trump’s leadership during the elections held on November 4, 2025. This sentiment contributed to Democratic victories across the governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey, the mayoral race in New York City, and Proposition 50 in California.

According to CNN exit polling, many voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance. In Virginia, New Jersey, and California, more than half of the electorate viewed their votes as a rejection of Trump’s administration. Democrats Mikie Sherrill took the governor’s race in New Jersey, and Abigail Spanberger won in Virginia.

In California, voters lent support to Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative to redraw congressional maps. In New York City, Democrat Zohran Mamdani claimed victory in the mayoral election, driven by local issues like the cost of living but also reflecting broader discontent with Trump’s presidency.

Despite a challenging political landscape, the Democrats secured these victories with Spanberger, Sherrill, and Mamdani winning 16% to 33% of votes from individuals who expressed dislike for their party. Voters indicated their primary concerns were economic, with issues like taxes and the overall economy topping the list.

CNN’s exit polls, conducted by SSRS, combined thousands of pre-election interviews with polling place surveys. These results provide insight into voter demographics and political opinions, though they carry margins for error and are best viewed as estimates rather than exact figures.

In Virginia, Spanberger’s win emphasized dissatisfaction with the national situation. A majority of voters disapproved of Trump, with about 90% of them supporting Spanberger over her opponent, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Although outgoing Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin received majority approval, many of his supporters chose Spanberger.

The races also reflected various social issues, with over half of voters believing the Trump administration’s stance on immigration enforcement was excessive. Spanberger garnered the support of more than 90% of those voters, while Earle-Sears focused her campaign on attacks against transgender rights.