Candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, and for mayor of New York City, are racing to the finish line Nov. 4 to see who wins off-year elections that are considered a signal for how 2026 campaigns will go.
In California, voters will help determine if Democrats or Republicans win the U.S. House in next year’s midterms and who hold power during President Donald Trump‘s last two years.
Election Day 2025 is nearly here, with Trump on Monday night scheduled to phone into rallies of voters in the two gubernatorial contests that will test his influence nine months into his second term.
Virginia will get its first female governor no matter who wins in the contest between Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
The New Jersey race pits Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill against Republican businessman and former state lawmaker Jack Ciattarelli.
Zohran Mamdani, the front-runner in polling to become mayor of New York City, laughed off Trump’s criticism while stumping for votes. Mamdani is campaigning against Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic former governor, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican founder of the anti-crime group Guardian Angels.
Here are updates on last-minute campaigning before the Nov. 4 election:
Trump to rally supporters in Virginia, New Jersey by phone
Trump plans to hold tele-rallies Nov. 3 for the gubernatorial candidates.
He is scheduled to call Virginia supporters at 7 p.m. ET from the Oval Office. He is then set to call New Jersey supporters at 7:30 p.m.
Trump said in a post on truth social Nov. 2 that voting for Republicans in either of the seats would lead to a drop in energy prices. He has promoted oil and gas development, in contrast to many Democrats promoting renewable fuels to curb climate change.
Mamdani laughs off Trump comments
Zohran Mamdani, the front-runner for New York mayor, laughed when asked what he thought of Trump saying he was the better looking of the two.
“My focus is on the cost of living crisis, bro,” Mamdani told reporters.
Mamdani is campaigning as a democratic socialist. But Trump has blasted him as a communist and warned he wouldn’t support federal funding for New York if Mamdani wins.
During “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Nov. 2, Norah O’Donnell asked for Trump’s reaction to comparisons that both politicians are charismatic and break rules.
“Well, I think I’m a much better looking person than him,” Trump said.
Mamdani walks across Brooklyn Bridge for Manhattan rally
Mamdani walked across the Brooklyn Bridge early Nov. 3 with state Attorney General Letitia James and others before holding a news conference outside City Hall in Manhattan.
Californians to vote on congressional redistricting
Californians will be voting on a ballot measure to redraw congressional maps for the 2026 midterm election.
Gov. Gavin Newsom pursued the changes with a goal of flipping five Republican seats to Democrats, to combat redistricting in Texas that favored Republicans in five seats now held by Democrats.
Redistricting occurs every decade based on the Census but Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to redraw their maps to keep control of the House, where Republicans lead 219 to 213.
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