LOS ANGELES (OC).–President Donald Trump was given a clear message in yesterday’s off-year election with Democrats picking up seats in key races especially in Virginia and New Jersey plus winning redistricting, Prop 50, in California. Taken together voters expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic and foreign policies, where inflation continues to plague consumers at a time of more economic uncertainty. Maybe the biggest blow of all was the election of 34-year-old avowed Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani who stands against everything Trump. In his acceptance speech last night, Mamdani touted his immigrant credentials, serving notice that immigrants are actually the hard-working backbone of the country, in contrast to Trump’s deportation policies but, more importantly, his deplorable treatment of the Latino community in the Southwest and West coast.
In a bad omen for the GOP in next year’s Midterm election, Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin was termed out, replaced by Abigail Spanberger, becoming the first female governor of Virginia. When it came to New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill won the governor’s race against Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciatarelli, all adding up to a rebuke of Trump’s policies. Redrawing the districting map, California voters had no problem backing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting Prop 50, practically guaranteeing the Democrats pick up another five Congressional seats in the 2026 Midterm election. Trump has been creamed in the polls, largely because of the government shutdown that’s cost the country dearly, making air travel all the more risky with air traffic controller and Transportation Security personnel no longer paid because of the 35-day government shutdown.
Trump, who was born, raised and made his real estate fortune in New York City, was slapped in the face with youth and minorities coming out in droves to support a socialist of all things as New York City Mayor. Trump’s endorsement of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was too late, but, more importantly, out-of-step with young NewYorkers of multiple ethnic backgrounds, going resoundingly for Mamdani’s message of inclusion and hope for struggling immigrant populations. Mamdani was unapologetic in his acceptance speech last night showcasing his charisma and appeal to youth voters. Mamdani represents the beginning of a changing electorate in the United States, no longer driven by the same old prejudice toward non-whites. Mamdani repeated his campaign promises of making New York City more affordable and accessible to its residents.
Mamdani pulled just over 50% of the vote against his rivals Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwaw, a significant achievement considering it was a three-way race. Mandani makes no bones over his allegiance to Democrat socialism, the same philosophy that drives Rep. Alexandria Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), both speak together about their loyalty to working people. In the capitalist center of the United States, it’s an insult to Wall Street to have a socialist run the Mayor’s office. When you think that Trump was born, raised and made his fortune as as a capitalist in New York City, electing Mamdani was a slap in the face to Trump. Mamdani sees Trump as his foil, the epitome of greed and excess, something he wants to change in the city. New Yorkers let Trump know what they think about his policies and personality and it doesn’t look good.
Spanberger’s big win for governor in Virginia and Sherrill’s win in New Jersey indicates that the country has moved away from Trump only one year after the 2024 election. It’s not too much to say that Republicans had a bad day yesterday, directly reflecting Trump’s low approval ratings and disruptive policies. Harassing Latino communities around the country is not the way to got after undocumented criminals plaguing the streets for American’s urban neighborhoods. Shutting down the government and creating chaos for hard-working citizens is not what citizens expected of Trump. Creating more inflation and higher prices is not what Trump promises consumers, saying he would do a better job of managing the economy. Voter’s backlash to Trump’s policies showed up at the polls. There’s no way to interpret yesterday’s election results than a rejection of Trump.
Yesterday’s off-year election results was a strong repudiation of Trump’s policies. Mamdani’s acceptance speech underscored the opposite of Trump governing policies that seem focused on growing Wall Street but not mains street. Federal Reserve Board’s recent two interest rate cuts show they believe the country bucks a recessionary trend under Trump. Elected two female governors in Virginia and New Jersey show that Trump no longer provides any coattail for any Republican. Passing redistricting ballot measures to assure more Democrats join Congress in the Midterm election forecasts bad news from Trump going ahead with his MAGA agenda. More than anything, electing a AOC-type socialist to New York City Major could not be more of a slap in the face to Trump. Mamdani said he’ll to everything as New York mayor to challenge Trump’s policies.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
