Democrats won big in the elections. Here’s what you missed.
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Good morning. It's Wednesday, November 5th. I'm Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, a clean sweep for Democrats on election night, a Supreme Court case that could define Trump's economic legacy, and the latest on the UPS plane crash in Kentucky.
Let's start with last night's elections, which were seen as an early gauge of voter sentiment in President Trump's second term. Democrats won key victories by large margins.
CNN projects that Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate, will be elected the next mayor of New York, New York.
In neighboring New Jersey, the Fox News decision desk projects that Democrat Mikey Sherrill will become the state's next governor there.
CNN has projected that former Democratic congresswoman and CIA case officer Abigail Spanberger will be elected governor of Virginia. NBC News projects that the Prop 50 race in California will be decided in favor.
What were the key election results for Democrats?
Yes, wins on Prop 50 in California and we.
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.
Over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater. Tonight against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.
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.
The Democratic Party cannot last much longer by denying democracy. the future by trying to undercut our young, by trying to undercut a next generation of diverse and upcoming Democrats that have the parties, the actual party, that are actual electorate and voter support.
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.
New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.
So hear me, President Trump, when I say this. To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.
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.
Who is Zohran Mamdani and why is his victory significant?
Spanberger won by more than 10 points, the largest Democratic margin in 40 years, according to Semaphore.
We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos.
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.
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