Democrats sweep first major U.S. elections of Trump's second term

Reactions have poured in from around the world after the Democratic Party saw a slew of wins in the first major U.S. elections of Donald Trump's second term.

In the spotlight was Zohran Mamdani's victory in the much-publicised New York City mayoral race, amid record turnout of 1.75 million voters.

Mamdani ran on a platform of affordable housing, free public transport, supports for working families and limits on corporate power. Along with several high-profile endorsements from American celebrities and influencers, he has garnered international support.

Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined a virtual phone bank with the New York City Democratic Socialists of America to encourage voter turnout for Mamdani on November 2.

In a post on X this morning, Corbyn celebrated what he called a "seismic victory" not only for his city but also "for all those who believe that humanity & hope can prevail."

Congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani!

You ignited a grassroots campaign, built on the radical idea that everyone deserves to live in dignity.

This is a seismic victory — not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity & hope can prevail. pic.twitter.com/2R6nrSlfGv

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) November 5, 2025

Mamdani's win has garnered international praise, with many progressive political leaders urging similar movements in their respective countries.

Congratulations were sent by the UK Green Party and its leader, Zack Polanski, who called his success "a story where no one is left behind."

"It's time to write that story across England & Wales too," Polanski said.

Zohran's campaign was his determination to make New York a city everyone can afford to live in. Huge congratulations!

His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.

It's time to write that story across England & Wales too. pic.twitter.com/8LsTieIB9n

— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) November 5, 2025

People Before Profit posted a video on X this morning, comparing Mamdani's mayoral win to that of Catherine Connolly in the Irish presidential race.

"Across the world, movements are rising to counter the politics of fear, division, and inequality - and they’re winning," People Before Profit said.

"If we want a left government here, we need thousands to get involved and make it possible."

Across the world, movements are rising to counter the politics of fear, division, and inequality - and they’re winning.

If we want a left government here, we need thousands to get involved and make it possible.

As Catherine’s shown, movements are built by people.

Join us🚩 pic.twitter.com/9RnIXKeriW

— People Before Profit (@pb4p) November 4, 2025

Similarly, a post by UK-based legal justice NGO Good Law Project listed Connolly and Mamdani alongside recently elected Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru, which recently defeated Labour in a Caeorphilly by-election for the first time in 100 years.

"The rise of the far right is not inevitable," said Good Law Project, adding, "If we work together, we can dare to hope."

Zohran Mamdani in New York
Catherine Connolly in Ireland
Rob Jetten in the Netherlands
Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly

The rise of the far right is not inevitable.
If we work together, we can dare to hope.

— Good Law Project (@GoodLawProject) November 5, 2025

Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin councillor on Dublin City Council, said Mamdani's win "gives hope to people in New York, across the US and around the world" in a post on X.

New Jersey indie band Pinegrove — who recently joined the No Music For Genocide boycott of Israel and released their new record Elsewhere 3 with all proceeds going to charities for Gaza — posted a selfie with Mamdani on Instagram, writing, "a better world is possible."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pinegrove (@pinegroveband)

At 34, Mamdani is the youngest modern mayor of New York City. He is also the first Muslim and first South Asian to hold the office.

In other firsts, Abigail Spanberger was elected Virginia's first female governor. The state's new lieutenant governor, Ghazala Hashmi, is the first Muslim woman to hold an elected position statewide.

Mikie Sherrill was elected New Jersey's first female Democratic governor, flipping the statehouse in a major show of resistance to Trump.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited Dublin in September for an event with Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole, celebrated all the Democratic candidates who won elections in a post on X.

"It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win," Obama said.

"We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter."

Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 5, 2025

In California, a major Democratic stronghold, voters successfully passed Proposition 50, a state constitutional amendment that will redraw several congressional district lines to incorporate larger shares of urban and suburban Democratic voters.

The process will increase the Democratic Party's chances in competitive districts and convert several Republican seats into Democratic ones ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Proposition 50 was introduced to offset recent redistricting by Republicans in Texas, who aimed to give their party an advantage for next year's congressional elections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of Trump's most vocal opponents, delivered a speech early this morning in which he said Proposition 50's success "was not just a victory for the Democratic Party, it was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country."

"We're proud here in California to be part of this narrative," Newsom said.

Tonight, California sent a powerful message to Donald Trump. We will fight for our democracy. And we will win. pic.twitter.com/tEcPlxVbi4

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 5, 2025

The election results marked the first major electoral tests of Trump's second term as president.

In a post last night on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump blamed his party's losses on the government shutdown — now stretching 36 days, the longest in history — and his absence from the ballot. The post cited unnamed "Pollsters." There is little to no credible evidence to support Trump's claims.