Shumita Basu

For progressives, Mamdani's victory was evidence that a left-wing economic agenda combined with clear messaging could build a new coalition of voters.

He will be the first Muslim and first South Asian to lead New York City, and at 34, the youngest in over a century.

Last night in his victory speech, he alluded to the odds he was up against.

More than two million votes were counted in New York City Tuesday, making it the highest turnout in more than half a century.

Speaking to CNN, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said it was a defeat for the old guard of her party.

As recently as February, Mamdani was polling at 1% in the primaries, tied with the someone else option.

Now, as the Wall Street Journal put it, a democratic socialist has the chance to run a city regarded as the epicenter of global capitalism.

In recent days, President Trump has threatened to target New York if Mamdani won.

Last night, the new mayor-elect said he believed Trump was watching and told him to, quote, turn the volume up.

There were also two critical gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey that we've mentioned.

In those states where President Trump improved on his margins in the 2024 election, Democrats running as self-styled moderates won easily.

Former Representative Abigail Spanberger will become Virginia's first ever female governor, defeating Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears.

Virginia, along with Jersey, is one of two states that holds gubernatorial elections the year between a presidential contest and the midterms, making it a political bellwether for observers.

Spanberger won by more than 10 points, the largest Democratic margin in 40 years, according to Semaphore.

Virginia is home to more than 147,000 federal workers, making it one of the most severely affected areas from the government shutdown.

So far, most polls show voters place more blame on Republicans for the impasse.

In New Jersey, some polls suggested a closer race, but in the end, Democrat Mikey Sherrill easily beat Republican candidate Jack Cittarelli by double digits.

It's the first time in decades that any party has led the state for three consecutive terms as she's following a two-term Democratic governor.

Sherrill focused her campaign on defending New Jersey from Trump, a theme that she returned to last night.

Republican consultant and pollster Robert Kahaly offered his analysis on Fox News, saying the gridlock in Washington loomed big in these local elections.