New Jersey Virginia governors race government shutdown.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Democrats in governors races see political opportunity amid government shutdown

Democrats say fallout from the Trump administrationโ€™s aggressive tactics on the government shutdown could give them a welcome boost in the only two governorsโ€™ races on the ballot this year. New Jerseyโ€™s and Virginiaโ€™s gubernatorial elections are setting up a test of how voters view both President Donald Trumpโ€™s second term and the Democratsโ€™ reaction. In Virginia, hundreds of thousands work for the federal government, and in New Jersey where the number roughly 23,000 according to the Congressional Research Service, the Republican administration announced the freezing of $18 billion in funding for a rail tunnel connecting the state to New York City.

Read More ยป