Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the New Jersey governor's race against Republican Jack Ciattarelli. This was the second significant win for Democrats on the same day, after another Democratic candidate won in Virginia. The election results were seen as a reflection of public opinion during President Donald Trump's second term.
Key Facts
Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic U.S. Representative and former Navy pilot, won the New Jersey governor’s race.
She defeated Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a former Assemblyman.
This win means Democrats have held the governor's office in New Jersey for three consecutive terms, the first time since the 1960s.
President Donald Trump endorsed Ciattarelli during his campaign.
Former President Obama endorsed Sherrill.
The New Jersey race saw heavy national attention and nearly $200 million in campaign spending.
Ciattarelli had previously criticized Trump but later received his endorsement.
Both candidates focused on New Jersey’s high cost of living and energy prices during the campaign.
The House Freedom Caucus supports a plan to fund the government for a whole year to end a 35-day shutdown. The Senate prefers a short-term funding solution. Some lawmakers disagree with the Senate's approach.
Key Facts
The House Freedom Caucus wants a year-long continuing resolution to fund the government.
The government is currently in a 35-day shutdown.
The Senate is preparing a short-term funding measure to reopen the government.
Some lawmakers, like Rep. Ralph Norman, oppose the Senate's funding plan.
Rep. Chip Roy supports a year-long funding measure but has not fully dismissed the Senate's plan.
A "continuing resolution" is a type of funding plan that keeps government spending at current levels.
The Freedom Caucus favors a funding extension as far as 2026 to provide stability.
A few conservatives are firmly against the Senate's proposed funding approach.
President Donald Trump is using expanded presidential powers, which were significantly increased by former Vice President Dick Cheney after the 9/11 attacks. Cheney had developed these powers through his extensive experience in government, and Trump is now applying them to his policies, even though the two have disagreed on some political matters.
Key Facts
Dick Cheney, who passed away at age 84, greatly increased presidential powers after the 9/11 attacks.
Cheney served as vice-president during George W. Bush's presidency and played a key role in the "war on terror."
President Donald Trump has inherited these expanded powers and is using them for his political agenda.
Trump and Cheney had disagreements, including Trump's criticism of Cheney's foreign policies.
Cheney warned about the dangers he believed Trump posed to the U.S. and supported Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024.
Both leaders have used presidential powers to influence military actions and domestic policies.
Trump's use of these powers includes military actions, such as a recent bombing strike on Iran.
Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, has won the governor's race in Virginia. She will be the first woman to hold this position in Virginia, taking it from Republican control.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger is a Democrat.
She won the governor's race in Virginia.
Spanberger will be the first woman governor of Virginia.
The governor's office in Virginia has switched from Republican to Democrat control.
Spanberger was a three-term congresswoman before winning the governorship.
President Donald Trump's endorsement of former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race has caused mixed reactions among voters. Some voters, like Jessica Dejesus, were initially planning to support Cuomo but reconsidered their choices due to Trump's involvement. The endorsement aimed to rally conservative voters but faced skepticism from both Democratic and Republican supporters.
Key Facts
President Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo for the New York City mayoral race.
Jessica Dejesus, from the Bronx, changed her mind about voting for Cuomo after learning about Trump's endorsement.
Trump hoped his endorsement would mobilize conservative voters in New York City.
The endorsement also received support from billionaire Elon Musk.
About 11% of New York's 4.7 million voters were registered Republicans as of 2024.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa had about 14% voter support in recent polls.
Some Republicans, like Artemio Figuero, remained unaffected by Trump's endorsement.
Voter reactions to Trump's involvement were mixed, with it being seen as both a drawback and a benefit depending on the individual's political stance.
Zohran Mamdani is running as the Democratic candidate in the New York City mayoral election. Volunteers supporting Mamdani are actively canvassing to get voters to the polls before they close.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is a candidate for New York City mayor.
He is running as a Democrat.
The election is taking place in 2025.
Volunteers are canvassing, which means going door-to-door, until the polls close.
The campaign's field coordinator is Austin Dilley, a 26-year-old line cook.
Supporters are gathering in a Brooklyn park to plan their final canvassing efforts.
The goal is to ensure as many supporters as possible vote before the polls close.
Corey O’Connor, a Democrat, won the election to become the mayor of Pittsburgh. He defeated Republican candidate Tony Moreno and previously defeated Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary.
Key Facts
Corey O’Connor is the new mayor of Pittsburgh.
O’Connor is a member of the Democratic Party.
He beat the Republican nominee, Tony Moreno, in the election.
Before the election, O’Connor defeated Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary.
O’Connor is the son of Bob O’Connor, who was also a mayor of Pittsburgh.
Corey O’Connor was the Allegheny County controller before becoming mayor.
Democratic state Senator Ghazala Hashmi won the election for Virginia's lieutenant governor. She beat Republican candidate John Reid and is currently a state senator representing a district near Richmond.
Key Facts
Ghazala Hashmi is a Democratic state senator in Virginia.
She won the lieutenant governor's race against Republican John Reid.
Hashmi represents an area south of Richmond in the state senate.
She started in politics in 2019 by winning a seat previously held by Republicans.
Before her political career, Hashmi was a college professor in Virginia.
She secured her position by winning a Democratic primary election in June.
Andre Dickens has been reelected as the mayor of Atlanta. He won a second term by receiving more than half of the total votes, beating three other candidates.
Key Facts
Andre Dickens won the election for a second term as mayor of Atlanta.
The mayor's office in Atlanta is officially nonpartisan, but Democrats have led it for many years.
Dickens received over 50% of the vote in this election.
He faced three challengers but won enough votes to beat them all.
Before becoming mayor in 2022, Dickens was on the Atlanta City Council.
He also worked as chief development officer for a tech-oriented nonprofit.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the 2025 Virginia governor's race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger will be the first female governor of Virginia and is taking over from Republican Glenn Youngkin.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor's race in 2025.
She defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.
Spanberger is succeeding Glenn Youngkin, the current Republican governor.
Virginia usually elects a governor from the opposite party of the current U.S. president.
Spanberger formerly worked as a CIA case officer.
She was a U.S. House Representative for Northern Virginia until she retired in 2024.
Spanberger will be Virginia's first female governor.
United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the government shutdown continues, air travel could face severe disruptions. The shutdown, which has reached its 35th day, is causing staff shortages and delays at airports. Air traffic controllers and other aviation staff have already missed one paycheck and are at risk of missing another, which could lead to widescale travel issues.
Key Facts
The US government shutdown has reached its 35th day.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned of possible chaos in air travel if the shutdown persists.
Air traffic controllers have missed one paycheck and might miss another soon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces staff shortages, causing delays at airports.
Newark Liberty International Airport had major delays on Sunday, with only 56% of flights on time.
Orlando airport also reported delays, with about 70% of flights on time.
As of midday Tuesday, 1,932 flight delays were reported across the US.
Staffing shortages and weather, like strong winds, are contributing to delays.
Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, won the Virginia governor's race. She defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and will be the first woman governor of Virginia.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger is the first woman to be elected governor of Virginia.
She is a former congresswoman and CIA case officer.
Spanberger's victory means Democrats will control the governor's office in Virginia.
The election took place on Tuesday.
Spanberger defeated the Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Her campaign focused on economic issues.
The election outcome is significant as Democrats prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor race, becoming the state's first woman governor. Spanberger defeated her Republican opponent, focusing on issues like federal layoffs and rising living costs. Her victory drew national attention as a reflection of voter sentiment towards policies from President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger is the new governor of Virginia and the first woman to hold this position.
The Associated Press called her victory in the election over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.
The election was a significant national event, considered a test of voter response to President Trump's policies.
Spanberger campaigned against federal layoffs, tariffs, and the federal shutdown, focusing on how these impact Virginia's economy.
Virginia is home to about 320,000 federal workers and many federal contractors, directly affected by federal policies.
Spanberger received support from national Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, who campaigned for her.
Her campaign focused on economic issues like housing costs, utility bills, and rising drug prices.
Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger's opponent, emphasized issues like transgender rights in schools.
Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, won the Virginia governor's race against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, shifting the seat back to Democratic control. The Associated Press announced her victory shortly after polls closed. This election is seen as a sign of what could happen in the upcoming 2026 U.S. midterm elections.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger is the new governor of Virginia.
She was formerly a U.S. Representative from 2018 to 2024.
Spanberger secured 55.3% of the votes with 47% of votes counted.
Winsome Earle-Sears was the Republican nominee and aligned with President Donald Trump.
The Virginia governorship returns to Democratic control for the first time in four years.
This election is viewed as important for predicting the mood of voters before the 2026 midterm elections.
Former Governor Glenn Youngkin could not run again due to term limits.
Virginia has generally leaned toward Democrats in recent years, but President Trump improved his numbers in 2024 compared to 2020.
A voter poll from the Associated Press shows that the economy is the main concern for Americans in the 2025 elections. People are worried about high prices, fewer job opportunities, and the impact of a recent federal government shutdown.
Key Facts
Over 17,000 voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York City participated in the poll.
Economic concerns were the top issue for voters.
High prices and fewer job opportunities are troubling many people.
President Donald Trump returned to office with promises to control inflation and boost growth.
The stock market is rising, but inflation is still high.
Job hiring is not picking up like before.
A federal government shutdown since October added to the uncertainty.
A new poll shows that many Americans blame President Trump for the increasing cost of living, such as higher prices for groceries and utilities. The results suggest that these rising costs could be a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections, affecting voters' decisions.
Key Facts
A poll indicates that a majority of voters blame President Trump for rising prices.
Seven in ten Americans are spending more on groceries this year compared to last year.
Higher groceries and utility bills are a concern, with 59% of people spending more on utilities.
The poll reveals that 59% of U.S. adults blame Trump for inflation.
Democrats are focusing their election messages on issues of affordability.
The Consumer Price Index shows prices rising slower than expected, but costs remain a concern.
Tariffs are seen by many as harmful to the economy, with 58% of U.S. adults agreeing.
The poll involved 2,725 U.S. adults and took place from October 24-28, 2025, with a 1.9-point margin of error.
The Trump administration is working on a deal to allow Medicare to cover certain weight loss drugs from companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. This deal could reduce costs and expand access to these drugs for seniors. The decision might also influence private insurance companies' coverage decisions.
Key Facts
The deal involves Medicare covering weight loss drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Eli Lilly's drug, Zepbound, could cost $299, and Novo Nordisk's drug, Wegovy, could cost $149 for the lowest dose on the TrumpRX website.
The deal aims to lower prices and expand access for seniors.
Medicare's decision could influence private insurers to cover these drugs as well.
Medicaid might also cover the drugs if the deal goes through.
Medicare currently covers similar drugs for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Earlier, a Biden-era plan to cover obesity treatments under Medicare and Medicaid was scrapped.
The story is developing, and more updates are expected.
President Trump is urging Senate Republicans to end the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring 60 votes to pass most legislation. He believes it gives Democrats too much power and is frustrated that some Republican senators are resisting his call. This issue relates to the government shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to end the filibuster, which needs 60 votes to pass most laws in the Senate.
Trump is frustrated because the current government shutdown has set a record for being the longest.
Some Republican senators do not support removing the filibuster.
Trump plans to pressure Senate Republicans who oppose him.
Filibuster removal could potentially make it easier for Republicans to pass legislation without Democratic votes.
Several Republican senators, such as Josh Hawley and Bernie Moreno, have shown openness to ending the filibuster.
Senate Democrats are confident that Republicans will not meet Trump's demands.
Trump believes that a President is usually blamed for a government shutdown.
Elections took place across the United States, and these could show how people feel about President Donald Trump's policies. This is the first big voting day since he became president again.
Key Facts
Tuesday was the first large-scale election day since President Donald Trump returned to office.
Elections were happening in different parts of the United States.
President Trump's policies are a major topic in these elections.
The outcome of these elections might indicate public opinion on Trump's leadership.
Candidates and voters are discussing the impact of Trump's administration on various issues.
