These are the 2025 elections to watch as Trump returns to White House

When President-elect Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20, Republicans will officially control the White House and both houses of Congress. As the new administration and GOP congressional majorities aim to make waves in the nation’s capital, attention will also turn to a series of high-profile ballot box showdowns across the country in 2025. These elections will serve as a barometer of whether Trump and the Republicans’ electoral momentum can be sustained.

For Democrats, who are looking to rebuild after setbacks in the 2024 elections, the 2025 off-year elections can’t come soon enough. New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states in the nation to hold gubernatorial contests in the year after a presidential election, and both states are expected to draw national attention.

Virginia, often seen as a bellwether of the national political climate, will see Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, a Republican, running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Sears, who would be the nation’s first elected Black female governor, is focused on leaving the state better than she found it. She faces a challenge from three-term Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is aiming to become the first woman elected Virginia governor.

In New Jersey, where Trump significantly increased his support in the 2024 elections, Republicans are hopeful they can win the governor’s office despite Democrats’ voter registration advantage. With Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited, a crowded field of Democrats and Republicans are vying to succeed him.

Outside groups are expected to invest heavily in both Virginia and New Jersey’s gubernatorial races, as well as in the legislative elections in Virginia, where Republicans are looking to regain majorities in the House and state Senate. Additionally, the 2025 elections in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will determine if Democrats can hold onto their majorities on the state Supreme Courts.

In New York City, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, has been indicted on federal corruption charges. Despite this, he plans to seek a second term, setting the stage for a potentially contentious mayoral election that may include challengers like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Overall, the 2025 elections will be closely watched as a test of both parties’ strength and the direction of the country’s political landscape.