‘Future looks little bit brighter’: Obama congratulates Democrat winners as key election results jolt Trump’s hold ahead of mid term polls

Voters in races across the country backed Democrats, including in New York’s mayoral race and contests for governor in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, rejecting President Donald Trump’s late and lightweight push for his preferred candidates. As Democrats swept key elections on Tuesday (November 4, 2025), former US President Barack Obama weighed in and wished winners from his party.

Extending wishes to the Democrats for their respective victories, Obama said that there is still plenty of work to be done, but the party’s future looks 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,” the former US president, who campaigned for the Democratic nominees for governor in Virginia Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey Mikie Sherrill ahead of Tuesday’s elections.

Big wins for Democrats

Democrats bagged key victories in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City and California. These victories are being seen as a boost ahead of the 2026 midterms. Zohran Mamdani won New York City’s mayoral race. Abigail Spanberger took control from Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill was set to topple Trump ally, Jack Ciattarelli, in New Jersey. Voters in California are set to approve Democrats’ redistricting push.

The elections held on Tuesday were seen as the first major electoral tests of President Donald Trump’s second presidency. In a social media post on Tuesday evening, Trump blamed GOP losses on the government shutdown and his absence from the ballot. “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,” according to Pollsters,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Though the candidates and local issues all played a role in the results, voter attitudes about the president and his agenda were central to their choices and offered the first clear review from voters of Trump’s agenda just nine months after he returned to power. Top Democrats celebrated the results as a major victory over Trump.