The government shutdown devastated Republican chances in Virginia and New Jersey elections. With 330,000 government workers not getting paid, voters understandably punished the party responsible for the crisis. Despite these losses, Virginia remains on the right track with strong performance on jobs, education and public safety.
Trump's toxic brand destroyed Republicans across the map, from Virginia's 13-seat House loss to New Jersey's 13-point gubernatorial defeat. Voters rejected fear-mongering about transgender issues and crime, focusing instead on real problems like grocery costs. The anti-Trump anger that powered these Democratic victories is only intensifying.
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