5 takeaways from the 2025 elections. And, the shutdown now the longest in U.S. history

"Up and down the ballot, Democrats did well, from the marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a key redistricting ballot initiative in California and even state Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania. Here are five takeaways from the 2025 off-year elections: It's still the cost of living, stupid. Prices, prices, prices. Affordability was a through line in most of the races Tuesday. President Trump's lack of focus on it likely hurt his party, as voters overwhelmingly sided with Democrats on the economy."

"Republicans still have a Trump problem in two different ways. Republican candidates are in a quandary Trump is unpopular and a drag with independents, but without him on the ballot, they continue to have problems turning out base voters. The Trump slump with Latinos appears to be real. Trump made inroads with Latinos in 2024, but that has slid backward. Latinos chose Democrats in the governors' races by 2-to-1 margins."

Democrats did well across the ballot, winning marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, a key redistricting ballot initiative in California, and state Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania. Affordability and cost-of-living concerns were central to many contests, and voters sided with Democrats on economic issues. Republican candidates faced a dual Trump problem: his unpopularity suppressed independent support while his absence from ballots made it hard to mobilize the GOP base. Latino support shifted back toward Democrats, with governors' races showing roughly 2-to-1 margins. Prop 50's approval strengthens Democratic leverage in future redistricting efforts. Democratic leaders must clarify party identity ahead of 2026.

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