Voters cast protest vote against Trump in Virginia and New Jersey

"Democratic candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill decisively triumphed in their races in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively the two states where gubernatorial contests were held on Tuesday. The elections were interpreted as an initial referendum on Donald Trump's first 10 months in the White House, as well as a test to determine whether the Democrats have a chance of victory in next year's midterm elections, when control of the U.S. Congress will be at stake."

"In Virginia, where the polls had closed an hour earlier, Spanberger defeated her opponent Winsome Earle-Sears by 57.2% to 42.6%, with 94% of the votes counted, taking the first governorship of this electoral cycle away from the Republican Party. The two winners shared a similar profile: moderate candidates who entered politics during the Democratic wave of opposition to Trump in the 2018 midterm elections and with professional backgrounds focused on national security."

Democrats won all major elections held on Tuesday in the United States. Abigail Spanberger won in Virginia with about 57.2% versus 42.6% and Mikie Sherrill led in New Jersey around 56% to 43% with most votes counted. Both winners emerged as moderate candidates who entered politics during the 2018 Democratic wave and had national security backgrounds: Spanberger a CIA agent and Sherrill a Navy helicopter pilot. Campaigns centered on an anti-Trump message without naming him and on addressing daily problems facing families. Voter anger over the economy, rising prices, and the prolonged government shutdown influenced the results.

Read at english.elpais.com