The message of affordability also propelled Zohran Mamdani, a little-known New York assemblyman who has vowed to freeze the rent for rent-controlled apartments in New York City, to the Democratic nomination and helped make him the favorite in Tuesday’s mayoral race.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin feels confident about Tuesday’s gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, arguing Democrats have the momentum coming off of a series of overperformances in special elections this year.

Early voting data suggests that Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia are heading into the final weekend in a slightly stronger position than Kamala Harris was at the same time last year.

New Jersey and Virginia have seen double-digit electricity rate hikes in the last year as voters in those states prepare to choose new governors.

Democratic candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill lead in Virginia and New Jersey governor races as the government shutdown enters its 27th day.

Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who has represented New Jersey in Congress since 2019, is running on a message of pragmatic leadership and “ruthless competence,” drawing support from suburban moderates,

Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill in Newark.