First Post-Trump Midterm Tests Trump Agenda Across Key U.S. States

The first major elections since President Donald Trump took office again are underway across more than half the U.S. states, serving as a key indicator of public sentiment toward his administration’s policies. High-profile races include the gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, where centrist Democratic women Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill are leading, facing Republican opponents backed by Trump. These races, along with mayoral and local elections such as New York City’s mayoral race and a California congressional redistricting proposition, are seen as either a referendum on Trump’s expanded executive actions or an endorsement of his agenda. Voter concerns include public safety and local issues, such as the impact of new infrastructure projects in communities like Summit, New Jersey. President Trump actively supported Republican candidates through telephone rallies, emphasizing the significance of these elections as the first test of voter sentiment since his return to the presidency. The outcomes will likely influence the political landscape and party dynamics ahead of the midterm elections.