The off-year elections unusually are a footnote in the overall direction of the country, but Tuesday’s races will provide the first significant glimpse at voter sentiment since Donald Trump returned to the White House.

They will provide some indicators for next year’s midterms and, as NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt notes, these elections will set the stage for the “invisible primary,” as candidates position themselves for the plunge into the 2028 presidential race.

In New Jersey’s governor’s race, Democrat Mikee Sherill is facing Republican Jack Ciattarelli. In Virginia’s gubernatorial contest, Democrat Abigail Spanberger is facing Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.

In the highest profile contest, enough to earn a Saturday Night Live cold open, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is fa

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