President Donald Trump suggested the record-long government shutdown is responsible for Republicans’ widespread losses in Tuesday’s off-year elections.
“’TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia gubernatorial race. Democrat Jay Jones, who sent text messages fantasizing about a political opponent’s death, will be Virginia attorney general.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill won the New Jersey gubernatorial race.
Socialist Zohran Mamdani will be mayor of New York.
“…AND SO IT BEGINS!” Trump said of Mamdani’s victory.
Trump had breakfast with Senate Republicans Wednesday morning to discuss Republicans’ response to the losses.
“I thought we’d have a discussion after the press leaves about what last night represented, and what we should do about it, and also about the shutdown, how that relates to last night …” he said. “The shutdown was a big factor negative for the Republicans.”
Trump said Wednesday he’s “not sure [Tuesday night] was good for anybody.”
“But we had an interesting evening,” he said, “and we learned a lot, and we’re going to talk about that.”
