As Americans head to the polls in this week’s off-year elections, the ghost of Donald Trump looms large — even though his name isn’t on a single ballot. The former president’s sweeping second-term agenda continues to shape the national conversation, influencing local races from New Jersey to California and beyond.
Across the country, Democrats have mobilized aggressively against what they call Trump’s “bulldozer politics.” From courtroom battles to mass protests under the banner of “No Kings,” the opposition has been fierce. On October 18, thousands gathered in Times Square, Washington D.C., and other major cities in protest of Trump’s policies, with demonstrators donning costumes, waving signs, and chanting for accountability.
These protests underscore the intensity of political polarization as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterms and, ultimately, the 2028 presidential race.
Trump’s Influence Shapes Off-Year Elections
The November 4 elections serve as a referendum on Trump’s expanding power. Whether it’s New Jersey’s governor race, Virginia’s high-stakes contest, or California’s controversial Proposition 50, Trump’s policies are front and center.
In New Jersey, Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli has embraced the MAGA brand after narrowly losing his 2021 bid. His frequent communication with President Trump underscores how closely state-level Republicans continue to align with the former president’s agenda. A Ciattarelli victory could energize the MAGA movement heading into 2026.
Virginia’s Democratic contender, Abigail Spanberger, and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill, both veterans of the 2018 anti-Trump wave, are testing whether their moderate, security-first platforms can still connect with voters tired of political extremes.
The Progressive Push: Mamdani’s Populist Surge
Meanwhile, in New York City, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is capturing headlines with his progressive message. A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani has ignited young voters by promising to fight for working-class affordability and challenge corporate power. His growing popularity contrasts sharply with the centrist tone of other Democratic candidates — signaling a possible ideological shift within the party.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats have cautiously rallied behind Mamdani, reflecting the party’s internal tug-of-war between moderates and progressives.
California’s Redistricting Battle Tests Democratic Power
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has launched an ambitious effort through Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would allow state lawmakers — rather than independent commissions — to redraw congressional maps. Democrats hope the initiative will secure additional House seats and counter recent GOP-led redistricting in Texas.
The move doubles as a political power play for Newsom, who many see as a likely 2028 presidential contender. With national figures like Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also re-emerging, the stage for the next presidential cycle is already taking shape.
As voters cast their ballots, one thing is certain — even when Donald Trump isn’t officially on the ballot, his policies, persona, and political shadow continue to define the American political landscape.
