Democratic victories in Tuesday’s highest-profile, and under-the-radar, elections give the party a shot in the arm as they look to regroup and storm into next year’s key midterm elections.

President Trump is out to stop the 2025 midterms from turning into a preview of the 2026 midterms. Democrats want to keep the momentum going.

Democrats dominated the first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, and there are signs that the economy — specifically, Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for Trump’s party.

"But make no mistake, how much you pay at the cash register is going to determine who you vote for in these elections."

Despite a rising stock market, inflation remains elevated and hiring slowed. A federal government shutdown compounded the uncertainty.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey won both elections, receiving campaign support from former President Obama.