The first state and local general elections since Donald Trump retook the White House and set into motion a dramatic expansion of executive power will be held Tuesday.

The results will be heralded as either a major rejection or resounding stamp of approval of President Trump’s second-term agenda.

Among the ballots, the race to lead the nation’s largest city, New York, is likely to capture the most attention. Democratic state legislator Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate and former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, are in the running.

Mamdani is a democratic socialist and his comfortable victory over Cuomo in the primary generated excitement from the party’s more progressive wing.

SOUNDBITE (English) Zohran Mamdani, Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City:

"We can tell billionaires that this city doesn't just belong to them. And we can tell Andrew Cuomo that New York City is not for sale."

SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Cuomo, (I) Former New York governor, candidate for mayor:

“Socialism is not going to work for New York City. Socialist's name is Zohran Mamdani.”

Cuomo is trying to make his return to political office after resigning as New York governor four years ago following a barrage of sexual harassment accusations that he denies.

Other races include New Jersey, where Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli battle to succeed Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.

And Virginia where Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former U.S. house Rep. Abigail Spanberger look to replace Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

And in California, voters will decide on a statewide ballot measure that would enact a new congressional map that could flip as many as five Republican-held U.S. House seats to Democratic control.

SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back."

Proposition 50 is in response to a new Texas map that state Republicans enacted in August, as part of Donald Trump’s efforts to keep the U.S. House under Republican control in the 2026 midterms.