Former Republican New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman spoke with NBC News’ Kristen Welker about Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s victory in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, saying, "we’re going to have a governor who’s going to care about New Jersey,

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill has been elected governor of New Jersey over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Sherrill, a 53-year-old former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, will become just the second woman governor in the state’s 238-year history.

In the New York City mayoral race, just 29% of voters approve of Trump, according to the exit poll, as do 36% in California. There, the Proposition 50 ballot measure will decide whether the state will change its congressional map in response to Republican-led redistricting pushed by Trump in Texas and other states.

The party had victories in major contests across multiple states, building momentum into the 2026 midterms.

The New Jersey race has emerged as the most hotly contested campaign, with opinion polls showing Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman and former Navy pilot, holding a narrow lead over her Republi...