First major elections of Trump’s second term test political landscape

The first major elections of President Trump’s second term are underway.

(NBC)- The first major elections of President Trump’s second term are underway, offering a snapshot of how Americans are leaning politically and a chance to shift the national landscape.

Governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia headline the day, both featuring Democratic women with national security backgrounds who once served together in the U.S. House, now pitching themselves as a sign of a Democratic revival.

In Virginia, former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger faces off against Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears for the state’s top job. Both candidates have zeroed in on the economy, with Spanberger emphasizing growth and Earle-Sears focusing on keeping more money in voters’ pockets.

In New Jersey, Democratic congresswoman Mikie Sherrill is locked in a razor-tight race against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, framing the contest as a referendum on President Trump. Sherrill has criticized her opponent’s continued defense of the president, while Ciattarelli insists voters “want change.”

The president has largely stayed off the campaign trail, opting instead for election eve telerallies for candidates in both states. He also made a surprise endorsement of former New York Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent in the New York City mayor’s race against Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who has generated significant buzz among progressive voters.

Meanwhile, in California, a ballot measure seeks to redraw congressional lines to add Democratic seats, an effort seen as a direct counter to Trump’s redistricting push in Republican-led states like Texas.