Elections are Fast-Approaching

November 4th, 2025
Arnav Goyal

NOTE: When talking about the Virginia Gubernatorial race, while Sears and Earle-Sears are both able to be used, this article is using Earle-Sears for consistency purposes.

The 2025 elections are set to make waves across the United States, with closely watched gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as a hotly contested mayoral race in New York City. These races, depending on how they go, could shape national policy and politics for years to come.

New Jersey’s Gubernatorial race

This year’s New Jersey gubernatorial election is one of the most competitive in decades, as voters prepare to choose a successor to term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. The Democratic Party nominated Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. She got her party’s nomination after a contentious primary against a crowded field featuring many local politicians. Sherrill’s campaign focuses on protecting reproductive rights, climate action through green jobs and expanding state funding for schools. Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman and repeat nominee who came close in 2021, is running on a platform of tax reform, big spending cuts, and traditional conservative values. Ciattarelli holds strong support in rural and suburban areas, appealing to voters frustrated by property taxes and seeking change from Democratic leadership. Polls suggest a near tie, making early voting and turnout crucial. Voters in both parties are turning out in force, reflecting intense interest in the outcome.

Virginia’s Gubernatorial Race

This one is historic, since for the first time, both major party nominees are women, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger facing off against incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and current congresswoman, has centered her campaign on healthcare affordability, defending abortion rights and investing in public education, while also campaigning on the effects of Trump’s policies on federal workers. She touts bipartisan credentials and aims for pragmatic governance. Earle-Sears is a trailblazer herself. If elected, she would be the first black female governor in US history. Her campaign emphasizes economic growth, parental rights in education and tough-on-crime policies, similar to what propelled Glenn Youngkin to victory in 2021. The Republican hopes to keep the governorship in GOP hands, capitalizing on her profile as an energetic, grassroots conservative popular with rural and suburban voters. However, recent polling shows that after numerous scandals by the Earle-Sears campaign, including questions over her stance on same-sex marriage, Spanberger is likely to win by between 4 to 7 points.

New York City’s Mayoral Race

While this race has been covered numerous times before, there is still some scandal and surprise that have happened since then. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from reelection after stagnating poll numbers and high unpopularity, mainly centered on his federal bribery indictment. After progressive newcomer Zohran Mamdani decisively won the primary in a major upset. His primary opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, is now running as an independent, aiming to stop Mamdani, who is controversial among many, from being the mayor. The Republican nominee, activist and founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa, returns for a second attempt after his 2021 loss, branding himself as a tough-on-crime alternative. This election will be decided by a first-past-the-post vote, unlike the ranked-choice Democratic primary. New Yorkers are deeply divided, with security, housing affordability, and City Hall transparency as top voter concerns. Polls show Mamdani with a slight lead, but independent Cuomo’s resurgence and Sliwa’s energized base keep the outcome unpredictable.

Overall, these races provide a critical preview of shifting national attitudes, especially as the Trump administration seeks to maintain footholds in states like Virginia and challenge Democratic dominance in urban centers and the Northeast. Early voter turnout has shattered prior records, as shown by millions casting ballots ahead of Election Day in these states.

The results will influence strategic decisions for both parties heading into the 2026 midterms. Candidates’ performances, voter engagement and issue prevalance, like abortion rights in Virginia and taxes in New Jersey are closely monitored by how well these races could go in the near future.

As polls open and votes are counted in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, we must wait and see what happens, as upset victories could happen, or we could see major victories for either party. In all regards though, these races will easily determine national issues for the time being.