How Democrats Won Virginia, New Jersey

How Democrats Won Virginia, New Jersey

The affordability message, national-security branding, and anti-Trump strategy that powered Spanberger and Sherrill to double-digit wins.

How Democrats Won Virginia and New Jersey

Last month, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill notched blockbuster victories in Virginia and New Jersey. Spanberger trounced her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by a 15-point margin, while Sherrill defeated businessman Jack Ciattarrelli by 13-points. The Virginia and New Jersey campaigns relied on similar tactics: A core message on affordability; an emphasis on the national security backgr…

2025 Election Post-mortem: New Jersey and Virginia

Democrats came out of the 2025 election cycle emboldened and strengthened, after two bigger-than-expected victories in Virginia and New Jersey where polls significantly overestimated the support for Republican candidates. Other than making clear how the American people is souring on the GOP and the Trump administration at a moment when the President’s approval ratings have hit a second-term low as he struggles to limit the effects of inflation a…

Election Shocks Underscore Power Bills as New Political Risk

(Bloomberg) — Democrats campaigning on a promise to lower utility bills swept key elections in New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia this year, and all signs suggest skyrocketing electricity rates will be pivotal in US congressional midterms next year. The New Jersey and Virginia governors-elect ran on affordability. Both states are part of the largest US electric grid — operated by PJM Interconnection LLC — which has seen power costs surge to record…