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Virginia and New Jersey Elections offer Early test of Democratic Resistance to Trump
Richmond,VA - November 7,2025 – Today’s off-year gubernatorial elections in Virginia and other down-ballot races are being closely watched as the first important electoral test for the Democratic party’s resistance against former President Donald Trump’s continued influence. While the New York mayoral race has garnered attention, the Virginia governor’s race, featuring an open seat due to the incumbent Republican’s term limit, is considered a more telling indicator of national sentiment.
Democrats are hoping to capitalize on anxieties among federal employees in Virginia’s affluent suburbs, many of whom have faced growing job insecurity due to Trump’s past proposals to downsize the government and, more recently, the impact of a recent government shutdown that has left thier salaries unpaid since the begining of October. Former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger, 46, is the Democratic candidate, focusing her campaign on the economy and the concerns of these voters.
Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, 61, currently the deputy governor, has prioritized different issues, including a scandal involving the Democratic candidate for attorney general and the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports and access to school restrooms. Despite significant investment – reportedly millions of dollars in TV advertising – focusing on opposition to trans rights, the issue appears to be failing to resonate with voters; a recent Washington Post poll found that only 3 percent of voters consider it a top priority. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/84f0e3af-875c-4b14-8921-a008804ab25f.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_2)
