Another Change Election

Voters turned out in big numbers to rebuke Trump.

Yesterday, millions of Americans made their voices heard at the polls.

It was a big night for Democrats, and a likely preview of what we could see in the 2026 midterms.

That these elections happened against the backdrop of a government shutdown makes it all the more significant. The Senate failed for the 14th time to get the votes to pass a short-term funding deal, making this the longest shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing the previous 35-day record set during Trump’s first term in 2019. Each passing week means more federal workers go without paychecks, and more than 40 million people who rely on SNAP benefits struggle to put food on the table.

These are just some of the things that were on voters’ minds.

It’s important to remember that politics is cyclical. Exhibit A:

When I won reelection to Congress in 2008 by 15 points, I thought we were riding a wave of hope boosted by Obama’s historic election. It felt like a new era for Democrats.

That high didn’t last long, though.

A year later, there were some early warning signs that Republicans were mounting backlash. In 2009, Republican David Heckler won Bucks County’s District Attorney’s race by double digits despite facing a younger, better-funded Democratic former prosecutor, Chris Asplen. That same cycle, the GOP reclaimed two governorships (Virginia and New Jersey), foreshadowing what became a red tsunami in 2010 with the rise of the Tea Party. Democrats lost 63 seats in the midterms and the Republicans regained control of the House. I was one of the Democrats who got unseated.

All of this is to say, in politics, the tide can turn fast.

After the Republicans took back the White House in 2024 and kept the majority in the House and Senate, the tide shifted last night toward Democrats, driven by growing dissatisfaction with Trump 2.0. The momentum had been building for weeks; nearly seven million Americans joined the recent “No Kings” rallies protesting Trump’s authoritarianism, which was two million more than the first demonstrations held in June.

History Made

In New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli, becoming the state’s first woman Democratic governor. A former Navy helicopter pilot, Sherrill was first elected to the House as part of the 2018 blue wave midterms.

In Virginia, Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the sitting lieutenant governor, becoming the first woman ever elected governor of Virginia. Like Sherrill, Spanberger first won her congressional seat in the 2018 midterms. Both would become roommates on Capitol Hill.

NYC

Turnout shattered expectations across the country. In New York City alone, more than 735,000 people voted early—over four times the total from the 2021 mayoral race. By the end of the night, two million New Yorkers had cast ballots, marking the city’s highest turnout for a local election since 1969.

The New York City mayor’s race especially energized Gen Z voters who turned out in large numbers for Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist whose successful campaign has captivated attention far beyond the five boroughs. His meteoric rise from an obscure assemblyman, bolstered by a polished social media strategy, grassroots energy, and focus on affordability, will likely become a case study for future Democrats looking to channel that same passion.

PA

In Pennsylvania, all three Democratic Supreme Court justices who sought reelection—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—were retained by voters, preserving the court’s 5–2 Democratic majority through the 2028 election cycle.

I couldn’t be prouder that Army veterans Danny Ceisler and Siddiq Kamara—two candidates endorsed by my PAC, Kennedy Dems PA—won their races for county sheriff in Bucks County and Delaware County, respectively. We also got a clean sweep for DA, row officers, and judges, including Tiffany Thomas-Smith, a military mom who made history as the first Black woman ever elected judge in Bucks County.

At Danny Ceisler’s victory party for Bucks County Sheriff with him and his father, Larry.

These elections reaffirmed my faith that voters care about people who show what courage and decency in public service look like. And that integrity still matters.

As we look towards the midterms in 2026, it’s important to remember that change doesn’t start in Washington. It starts at the ballot box and with who we send to represent us.

Change Elections Will Continue

When you don’t trust the government, you throw them out. Neither political party is popular with the American people and has been voted out 11 of the 13 U.S. midterm or presidential elections this century, including the last six in a row.

Now is the time for our Democrats and Republicans to govern together, end the shutdown, get a hold of the spike in prices (especially energy & groceries), and restore trust with the millions of Americans in public service working without paychecks— including our federal prison guards, TSA agents, and air traffic controllers. If the leaders in Washington don’t wake up, put their political party aside, and start working for all of us, they’ll be swept out soon enough.

Moving Forward - Focus on the Economy, Healthcare, & Affordability

Energy prices have risen 11% nationally under Trump since last year, and in New Jersey and Virginia, soaring energy prices led to Democratic wins with candidates who promised to make it more affordable:

New Jersey residents saw a 22.21% increase between July 2024 and 2025.

Virginians saw an average 11.25% increase in their utility bills since last year.

Our two national security governors-elect in NJ & VA successfully positioned energy prices as a central pillar of their affordability-focused campaign. Sherrill and Spanberger both outlined a clear path to lower costs while holding Republicans accountable for their harmful agenda that cut alternative energy sources like wind and solar.

Exit polls in New Jersey found that 59% of voters viewed electricity costs as a major problem and only 12% said no problem at all.

Whether you call it affordability or prices are just too damn high, there’s a lot we should be doing to drive down costs for the American people. That starts with reopening the government and extending the ACA subsidies before healthcare premiums spike in 2026 to levels many Americans simply can’t afford.

Young Voters

In 2024, Republicans made gains with young voters (18-29) based on their economic concerns. You’ve heard me speak about how young men are especially feeling the pain - nearly 60% of men 18-24 still live at home, and far too many don’t believe in the American Dream.

Last night, young voters swung back in support of Democrats.

In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger won young voters (18-29) 2 to 1 compared to her Republican opponent and generated higher turnout among this group compared to the last gubernatorial race. In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill also dominated among young voters — winning 66% to 32%.

But don’t forget Independents - 90% of Democrats and Republicans vote party line, making Independents the key demographic in purple counties (like Bucks) and states (like PA). 53% of veterans identify as independents: In both races for governor, Democrats won a majority of independent voters.

In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger won independents by 15 points — a 24-point swing compared to 4 years ago. In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill won the independent vote by 7 points.

While I often say it’s always darkest before dawn, it’s time to work on answering the call in our US Constitution and form a more perfect union. We can do that by working together and ending this tragic shutdown.