In Video: Steve Kornacki breaks down the 2025 races to watch: New Jersey, New York City, Virginia

Election Night in the Northeast: A Tale of Two Governor’s Races

As the first major elections of President Donald Trump’s second term unfold, the country is holding its breath in anticipation of the results. While the national attention may be focused on Washington, two governor’s races in the Northeast are generating significant buzz and offering glimpses into the nation’s shifting political landscape.

New Jersey: A Suburban Showdown

In the Garden State, the Republican nominee, Jack Chidarelli, is aiming to win the governorship, four years after a razor-thin loss to Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Cheryl. Chidarelli’s promising performance in 2021 was buoyed by his ability to attract voters from New Jersey’s suburbs, who didn’t warming up to Trump’s presidential campaigns. The question on everyone’s mind is: are these voters still willing to back a candidate like Chidarelli, now that Trump is back in the White House? Or will they opt for the Democratic ticket to send a message?

New York City: A High-Profile Mayoral Race

Across the Hudson River, New York City is witnessing a high-stakes mayoral election, pitting incumbent Zoran Mandani against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent. The political backdrop is rich with drama, with Cuomo’s split opposition to Mandani drawing significant attention. While polls suggest Mandani is ahead, the high turnout and volatile nature of the race may still yield surprises.

Virginia: A Likely Upset?

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the race for governor pits Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears against Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, a former Democratic congresswoman. With Spanberger consistently leading in the polls by wide margins, an upset victory by Sears would be a shock – but one that might emerge early, as the first results are expected at 7:00 PM.

As the night unfolds, keen observers will be watching the New Jersey and New York City races for subtle signs of the nation’s shifting political mood. Will suburban voters in New Jersey continue to back a candidate like Chidarelli, or will they pivot to the Democratic ticket? Will Cuomo’s independent bid shake up the New York City mayoral race, potentially upsetting Mandani’s expected victory? As the results begin to roll in, one thing is certain: tonight promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable ride for political enthusiasts.

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