WASHINGTON – Democrats scored major victories in the first significant elections of President Donald Trump’s second term on Tuesday, signaling a boost for the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

In New York City, 34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race, becoming the first Muslim mayor of the nation’s largest city. Mamdani’s insurgent campaign, fueled by viral social media outreach, emphasizes progressive policies including corporate tax hikes, rent freezes, free childcare, and free city buses. He defeated former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent.

In gubernatorial contests, moderate Democrats Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey won decisive victories. Spanberger will succeed Republican Glenn Youngkin, while Sherrill replaces Democrat Phil Murphy. Both leveraged public frustration with Trump’s administration, including the ongoing federal government shutdown and contentious immigration policies, to connect with independent voters.

California voters also approved a new redistricting plan, reshaping congressional districts in favor of Democrats and further influencing the national House race landscape.

The wins mark a generational shift for the Democratic Party, with progressive and moderate leaders rising to prominence. While national polls indicate Democrats remain unpopular overall, Tuesday’s contests provided a morale boost and demonstrated voter appetite for fresh leadership.