Yesterday, millions of Americans went to the polls to vote in local/municipal elections. It has been a year since President Donald Trump won, but these results heavily favored Democrats. In Connecticut, the Dems celebrated the re-election of Danbury Mayor and CT Dems Chair Roberto Alves and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. After 12 years, Democrat Manny Sanchez flipped the mayor’s seat in New Britain.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy on X, touted the wins of local Democrats. The party saw mayoral gains in towns like Norwich, Stratford, Ansonia, East Granby, Westbrook, and Rocky Hill.
STN2 last week covered an event with the Rocky Hill Democrats. Unconfirmed results late last night, released by the town, showed resounding victories for the Democrats. At 11 PM, the Republicans came to the Rocky Hill DTC HQ to concede. The Dems there flipped the mayoral race and all other town offices from Republican to Democratic majorities. Even down-ballot candidates like Republican Guy Drapeau (who is the University of Hartford’s Chief Financial Officer) lost his race on Rocky Hill’s Board of Assessment Appeals.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist and New York Assemblymember, won the mayoral race. He defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and perennial Republican candidate Curtis Silwa. Mamdani ran on a platform of affordability and now has the challenge of running an expensive city of over 8.3 million residents.
Virginia and New Jersey held elections for governor yesterday. Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill both won their respective races. Both candidates were former roommates while they served in Congress.
California voters approved a ballot initiative known as Proposition (prop) 50. It would allow the state to pursue a mid-decade redistricting to remove some Congressional California Republicans. Proponents argued that it would level the playing field against States influenced by Trump. It is part of a process called gerrymandering, where State leaders redraw the map of Congressional districts, so more candidates of a desired party win re-election. States like Texas who passed maps that would likely eliminate five or six Congressional Democrats. Notable opponents of Prop 50 include former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. At an event at USC, Schwarzenegger said, “It doesn’t make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump, to become Trump.” Other States have released maps and plans to redraw their Congressional districts in this national gerrymandering fight.
These elections and fights over redistricting highlight the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. They will be the first national Congressional elections since 2024 and could serve as a check on the Trump administration. STN2 will continue to cover those races and more.
