US election results suggest Trump’s coalition of voters is collapsing

US Election Results Show Fractures in Trump’s Voter Base

Democrats claimed victory in the recent US elections held on November 4, but their enthusiasm should be cautious. These elections tested whether Republicans could maintain the coalition that brought Donald Trump to the White House in November 2024.

Though Trump was not directly on any ballot—such as the key mayoral race in New York City and gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey—each election served as a partial referendum on the President and his party’s direction.

National Politics Shape Local Election Outcomes

American politics is intensely nationalized, meaning local and state election results often reflect voters' sentiments about the broader national political environment. This situation can frustrate local candidates.

New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Example

Republican Jack Ciattarelli argued that his Democratic rival, Mikie Sherrill, was framing the campaign as a vote on the President rather than focusing on their own policies.

“If you get a flat tire on the way home tonight, she’s going to blame it on President Trump.”

Despite these complaints, Sherrill won the race by a 13% margin.

Summary

The election outcomes suggest the Republican coalition behind President Trump is weakening, even as Democrats celebrate their gains.

Would you like the text styled for a specific platform or device?

more

The Conversation The Conversation — 2025-11-05

More News