Election Day 2025: Key Races to Watch
New York City Mayor’s Race
The highly watched mayoral election in New York City is a rare three-person race that has attracted the attention of former President Trump.
Democrats chose Queens state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani as their nominee in June. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, campaigns on affordability and has embraced grassroots support. Mayor Eric Adams, indicted on federal corruption charges earlier this year, dropped out and threw his support behind Cuomo.
Cuomo remains in the race despite early fundraising struggles. Mamdani has shattered fundraising expectations, reaching the $8 million spending cap for New York City matching funds. Early polls show Mamdani with a lead, but others show a Cuomo surge.
If elected, Mamdani would become the second-youngest mayor in New York City history and the first Muslim mayor. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee in 2021, is also on the ballot.
New Jersey Governor’s Race
Former GOP state Rep. Jack Ciattarelli is making his third run for governor, facing off against Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
Sherrill seeks to deliver Democrats a third consecutive term, while Ciattarelli aims to end the Democratic streak.
Both candidates focus on the high cost of living, with Ciattarelli promoting affordability and Sherrill outlining an “Affordability Agenda.” A controversy arose when records related to Sherrill’s Navy service were mistakenly released, revealing a 1991 achievement medal for saving a classmate.
Virginia Governor’s Race
With Glenn Youngkin not running for reelection, Virginia voters will elect a new governor. The race is seen as a potential referendum on the incumbent president.
Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger vie to become Virginia’s first female governor. Either would make history, with Earle-Sears becoming the first female Black governor if elected.
Earle-Sears tries to replicate Youngkin’s 2021 strategy of tying Spanberger to progressive social issues, while Spanberger presents herself as a centrist.
Virginia Attorney General’s Race
Democrat Jay Jones led incumbent Jason Miyares in a Washington Post poll before text messages from 2022 resurfaced involving violent fantasies against a Republican lawmaker. Jones took responsibility but Republicans, including President Trump, have called for him to drop out.
Miyares has seized on the controversy with ads asking “Can you trust Jay Jones to protect your children?” A later Washington Post poll showed them statistically tied.
California’s Proposition 50
Proposition 50 would allow California Democrats to temporarily adjust congressional district boundaries to favor their party, responding to Trump-backed efforts in other states to gerrymander districts.
The initiative targets five GOP-led districts. It has strong support among voters who oppose the Trump administration and national Republicans. A CBS News poll showed 62% support among likely voters.