Midterms Seen as Early Test of Trump's Second Term

Tuesday’s elections — gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, New York City’s mayoral race, and California’s referendum on redrawing congressional maps — are being treated as the first major electoral tests of President Trump’s second term and could foreshadow the political terrain heading into 2026. National polling shows Democrats with an early lead on the congressional ballot and many voters saying the Trump administration has fallen short on the economy and on promises to change Washington, with a majority blaming the administration and Republicans for the ongoing government shutdown. Trump has expressed concern about midterm losses, is focused heavily on the New York mayoral contest, and has funneled endorsements and resources to Republican candidates to try to blunt Democratic gains. The administration also faces consequential legal pressure at home: the Supreme Court is set to hear challenges to Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, even as the shutdown continues to disrupt federal programs. High-profile commentary, such as George Clooney’s critique of Democratic 2024 choices, highlights internal debates within the Democratic Party as results and reactions begin to arrive.