Commentary: Democrats gain ground in key US elections

"Last night was a very good night for the Democrats. Trump wasn't on the ballot anywhere, but his menacing shadow loomed over every election. Mamdani was always going to win in NYC from the moment he won the primary. It's a Democratic city of immigrants and his face ad progressivism fit pretty well. He's not the template for the country though: the US as a whole is far too conservative for a Muslim Social Democrat to win nationally. At the moment it's horses for courses and he was the perfect steed for New York in the same way Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is an excellent fit for New Jersey Abi Spanberger is for Virginia. 

"While Mamdani's result is most eye-catching, the deeper story is how progressive voices and motions won across the country, Other than in deeply-Republican Texas. Maine voters pushed back against tighter election laws, Colorado put up taxes on high earners to pay for school meals and California backed Proposition 50 move on redistricting. JD Vance's half brother lost the race to be Mayor of Cincinnati and Pennsylvania kept its three liberal justices. All will anger Trump who, surrounded by a court of fawning sycophants, truly believes he's America's beloved King-Emperor.

"He won't take the push-back lying down, and the race for the Midterms when the Democrats have a strong chance to overturn the Republican majority in the House of Representatives will undoubtedly turn a lot uglier. But the resistance is coalescing. We’ve had millions protesting, but last night the public spoke through the ballot box – and told Trump plainly that he’s no longer winning."