Virginia’s race for attorney general was thrown into the spotlight after revelations that Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jonessent texts in which he fantasized about murdering a fellow lawmaker and their children. Jones is facing off against Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection.
New Jerseyans will also select their next governor between former Republican Rep. Jack Ciatterelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
New York City will decide its next mayor with three candidates left in the race: Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who is running as an independent — and Republican Curtis Silwa.
Polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m., in New Jersey at 8 p.m., in New York at 9 p.m., and in California at 11 p.m.
Jeremy Gottfried, a 31-year-old man from Brooklyn, says he’s feeling optimistic but doesn’t want to be complacent, as Mamdani said.
He canvassed twice today for Mamdani, saying, “So I’ve been doing the work out there, trying to get out the vote. I’m feeling optimistic about it, but you never know. So just hoping for the best.”
Gottfried supported Mamdani because he felt he spoke to how he “can make our lives better, rather than, like, what he’s fighting against.”
Lindsey Boylan, a Mamdani surrogate and Cuomo’s first accuser, said she’s “excited” with the results so far. She’s also excited to send Cuomo back into political retirement.
“It’s important for society to send an abuser like that packing, and so I feel a great deal of relief, because a lot I feel was riding on him being sent away, and so I feel really good about that for so many people, not just myself,” she said.
2 hours ago
Voter turnout in Virginia appears to dip once again the year after a presidential election
A poll worker who worked 12 hours at the Galilee Church poll location in Virginia beach said he predicted this was a record turn out and he had never seen so many people on election day for a non-presidential year. However, early statistics show that may not have been the case.
Virginia elections generally see a dip in voter turnout for non-presidential year elections. Since 2012, Presidential elections have seen more than 70% of registered Virginians turn out to vote.
While for the year after, with the Governor’s election, there is a substantial dip. Though trending upward, with 2013 at 43.0%, 2017 at 47.6%, and 2021 having 54.9% voter turnout.
While the state totals will not be released by the Virginia Department of Elections until after the election is certified, Virginia Beach is reporting only a 49% turnout rate.
3 hours ago
Miyares is mum on political future in concession speech
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – While the Attorney General Jason Miyares (R-VA) didn’t give a clue about his future during his concession speech, many supporters the Washington Examiner spoke to said ‘governor’ sounds like a good fit.
“As I’ve said before, the least of these deserve the best from us,” Miyares said as he took the stage with his wife and two daughters. “Folks, I do not know what my next chapter will be…”
“Governor!” someone shouted from the crowd to cheers. With a smile, Miyares continued, “but my chapter is not over. And Virginians, Republicans, we are down. But we’re not out.”
“[Miyares] gave a really great, encouraging speech,” said Allison, after the concession speech. “I know that no matter what he chooses to do, it will be wonderful.”
While Democrats swept in the Virginia election. Miyares said the controversy surrounding Jones leaked text messages may make it hard to unite the state.
“As a hallmark of our democracy, I wish Jones the best in this new job,” Miyares said. “I know, given the circumstances of the last six weeks, many of my supporters will find that difficult. But the reason I wish Jay the best is because we, the people of Virginia, need it. We need an attorney general who focuses every day on keeping us safe. And it’s my sincere hope that Jay does that.”
4 hours ago
Trump blames Republicans’ 2025 losses on him not being on ballot
A year after one of their biggest electoral triumphs in recent history, the Republican Party was dealt a sizeable blow on Tuesday, losing the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races. Though the races were seen as a long shot for Republicans, the president squarely blamed the losses on his lack of participation in them.
“’TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
4 hours ago
Democrats widen majority in Virginia state House to maintain control
Virginia state Democrats have maintained control of the state House, widening their narrow majority and ensuring continued unified control of state government heading into the 2026 midterms.
Democrats, who held a 51-seat majority in Virginia’s state House, have secured at least 56 seats in Tuesday’s elections, according to the Associated Press as of 11:30 p.m. The results solidify Virginia’s status as a Democratic stronghold in the south and allow the party to press forward with two proposed constitutional amendments protecting abortion access and marriage equality.
Virginia has leaned increasingly Democratic in recent years; Vice President Kamala Harris won by 5 points against now-President Donald Trump, while Joe Biden won the state by 10 points in 2020. Yet Glenn Youngkin’s 2021 gubernatorial victory showed the commonwealth remains a genuine battleground.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (D-NY) issued a statement late Tuesday night after Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election of New York City. Stefanik blasted New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
“Under Kathy Hochul’s weak catastrophic leadership, New York City has now fallen to a pro-Hamas, Defund the Police, Tax Hiking, Antisemite Jihadist Communist,” Stefanik said. “And instead of standing up for hardworking New York families, Kathy Hochul proved once again that she is truly the Worst Governor in America with her desperate endorsement of Commie Mamdani.”
“Kathy Hochul is now owned lock, stock, and barrel by the radical Far Left Socialist takeover of the New York Democrat Party under her abysmal watch,” Stefanik added. “The only way to save our great state and provide a check on this insanity is to elect a Republican Governor in 2026. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents will unify and vote to fire Kathy Hochul to Save New York next year once and for all.”
5 hours ago
California’s Proposition 50 passes, delivering major political win for Newsom
The Associated Press determined the ballot measure passed at 11 p.m., when polls closed in California. The passage of Proposition 50 marks a major political victory for Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Newsom framed the Proposition 50 fight as one between California and President Donald Trump. It has allowed him to expand his national profile and draw donations from more than 107,000 individual donors.
5 hours ago
Polls now closed in California after vote on Proposition 50
Polling stations are now closed in California as of 11 p.m. EST.
California voters are deciding whether to support Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s key legislation in his redistricting agenda. If the new map under Prop 50 is passed, House Republicans could lose five seats in California.
Newsom’s redistricting effort began in response to Texas Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting, which positions the GOP to net five more House seats.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at Zohran Mamdani's election night watch party in New York City on Nov. 4th, 2025. (Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner)
Mamdani’s watch party has buzzed ever since the Associated Press called the candidate’s race in his favor.
Supporters danced, jumped, and screamed in patches all over a crowded floor at the Brooklyn Paramount theater. Several supporters are wearing Democratic Socialists of America shirts along with Mamdani gear.
As Cuomo conceded the race, Mamdani supporters jeered and waved goodbye to the former governor. Mamdani often said on the campaign trail that he wanted to send “Cuomo back to the suburbs.”
Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, said she was “really excited” to see Mamdani win.
She believes the 34-year-old socialist, who was accused of being too slow to condemn the “globalize the intifada” phrase linked to antisemitism, will take care of Jewish people in New York City.
“I think that he’s going to protect Jewish people. I think that he has been really deeply adjusted and getting to know the Jewish community, and so I have a lot of faith in him continuing to show up for the Jewish community,” she said.
The mayor-elect is expected to speak soon.
6 hours ago
Jones narrowly defeats Miyares in Virginia attorney general race
Democrat Jay Jones narrowly defeated Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) Tuesday night, becoming the Old Dominion’s first African American attorney general.
The Associated Press called the race at 10:05 p.m. with 87% of votes counted, three hours after polls closed at 7:00 p.m. Jones won even after it was revealed he sent violent text messages in 2022, suggesting former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert receive two bullets in the head.
Jones appeared at former Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s (D-VA) watch party on Tuesday night, where he thanked Virginians for electing him the commonwealth’s first black attorney general. He did not reference the text messaging scandal in his speech. Spanberger won the state’s gubernatorial race against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears (R) earlier in the night.
Winsome Earle-Sears concedes. (Graeme Jennings, Washington Examiner)
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA — Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears conceded the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday night in Leesburg, urging Democrat Abigail Spanberger to “represent all Virginians” after a hard-fought campaign.
“I have just called Abigail, and she did not answer, and she doesn’t have to answer,” Earle-Sears said. “I left her a voicemail and asked her to please consider all of us Virginians, that she will represent all of us, and not just some of us. If she is successful, Virginia will be successful.”
The 61-year-old Republican had pledged to extend Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s economic agenda while leaning into the same cultural flashpoints that helped define his 2021 rise, from opposition to transgender student policies to attacks on diversity programs and calls for school choice.
“I think I learn more in a loss than I ever do in a victory,” she said. “It’s either going to tear you apart or it’s going to build you. Well, I don’t tear apart.”
Winsome Earle-Sears conceded the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday night in Leesburg. (Graeme Jennings, Washington Examiner)
Earle-Sears reflected on her journey as an immigrant, Marine, and the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia, saying she was grateful for the opportunity to serve. “I’m really not even supposed to be here,” she said. “I’m an immigrant from another country, and yet you all have given me the opportunity to do this. This is such an amazing thing for me.”
She closed by urging supporters to stay united in prayer and purpose. “We must pray for Abigail. We must pray for our state. And we must pray for our country,” she said. “Don’t give up. We must never give up.”
6 hours ago
Jack Ciattarelli concedes New Jersey governor’s race
Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli concedes the New Jersey governor's race in Bridgewater, New Jersey on Nov. 4th, 2025. (Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner)
“Moments ago, I called and congratulated Mikie Sherrill and offered her my best wishes,” said Ciattarelli in his concession speech. The mention of Sherrill led to boos and jeers in the crowd.
“Yes, Republicans are the minority party, but that means also being the loyal opposition and continuing to ensure that our voice is heard,” the Republican candidate told his supporters, “The voice of the middle class, the voice of every minority across the state, the voice of those who want to protect their children from public school curriculum that doesn’t really serve our purposes well anymore.”
6 hours ago
Pennsylvania retains Democratic majority in state Supreme Court
Pennsylvania voters approved the reelection of three state Supreme Court justices.
Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht will stay in office, meaning Democrats will maintain a 5-2 majority in the court.
Dougherty and Wecht will each serve a 10-year term, while Donohue will be forced to retire in 2027 at 75, according to state law. Their reelection victory ensures Democrats will control the court during the 2028 presidential election.
6 hours ago
Republicans use Mamdani’s victory to attack Democrats
“The Democrat Party has surrendered to radical socialist Zohran Mamdani and the far-left mob who are now running the show,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella said. “They’ve proudly embraced defunding the police, abolishing [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], taxing hard-working Americans to death, and replacing common sense with chaos.”
“Mayor-elect Mamdani ran an impressive campaign, laser-focused on what matters most to working families in New York: lowering costs, expanding access to affordable child care, and making it easier for families to make ends meet,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said, “Mayor-elect Mamdani’s campaign illustrated the power of a big-tent party that focuses relentlessly on lifting up all working people.”
Mamdani has expressed support for defunding the police in the past and ran on opening government-run grocery stores and free childcare. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) endorsed Mamdani in late October.
“Every House Democrat is foolishly complicit in their party’s collapse, and voters will make them pay in 2026,” said Marinella.
