Democrats score major wins in US elections as Mamdani makes history in New York
Democrats won a string of high-profile races across the United States on Tuesday, in the first major elections since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. The wins offer the party a boost ahead of next year’s midterms.
Democrats claimed key victories in New York, Virginia and New Jersey. In New York City, 34-year-old state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race, becoming the city’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor, and its youngest in more than a century. The democratic socialist defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a race that drew the highest turnout in 50 years.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger was elected governor, while in New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill secured a comfortable win. Both ran on moderate, pro-economy platforms, contrasting with Mamdani’s progressive agenda.
Internal debate
The results provided a morale boost for Democrats as they look to rebuild momentum ahead of next year’s congressional midterm elections. However, the wins by candidates with sharp ideological differences do little to settle the party’s internal debate about its way forward.
The victories come as the federal government shutdown entered its 36th day, breaking the record for the longest closure in US history. Millions of Americans are affected by cuts to key programmes, flight delays and unpaid wages for federal employees.
Trump has refused to reopen the government until Democrats agree to his demands on health care subsidies, and talks in Congress remain stalled.
© ANGELA WEISS / AFP
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