Democrats are trying to bounce back from their 2024 thumping, while Republicans are working to blunt the typical momentum for the party out of power as voters hit the polls Nov. 4 for contests that will offer a window into the mood of the electorate nearly a year after President Donald Trump won his second term.
The off-year races in New Jersey, Virginia, California, New York City and elsewhere are seen as key early barometers of how voters are feeling about Trump and the Democratic Party as it fights his aggressive agenda.
The president has loomed large over the contests, featuring in ads and as a frequent topic in debates as Democrats blast his record and Republicans embrace it. Trump is paying close attention, hyping GOP candidates on social media and taking aim at their opponents.
More: Trump vs. the midterm blues: Can he get MAGA voters excited (and voting) in 2026?
The 2025 elections include a pair of races for governor and other down-ballot seats in New Jersey and Virginia, a high-profile ballot measure in California, state Supreme Court retention elections in Pennsylvania and mayoral contests around the country, most notably in New York City.
