America’s political engine is roaring back to life in these off-year contests, and the stakes could not be higher for conservatives who want to stop the left’s march in our cities and states. Fox’s roundtable was right to put a spotlight on New York City, Virginia and New Jersey — these races will shape policy and message-setting for 2026 and beyond. If Republicans want to change the narrative, we have to play hardball at the ballot box and in the streets where real votes are cast.
New York City’s Democratic primary produced a shock to anyone who still thinks the party is moderate: Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblyman with democratic socialist ties, clinched the Democratic mayoral nomination after ranked-choice counts. That victory shows how far the city’s leftward shift has gone and why conservatives must be relentless in exposing the consequences of radical, unworkable policies. The rise of such an unapologetic progressive should be a wake-up call for every parent, small-business owner, and commuter who pays the price for elite experiments in governance.
Meanwhile in the city controller’s race, longtime Democrat Mark Levine emerged as the party’s candidate for comptroller, setting up an easy path for more Democrat control over the city’s finances if Republicans don’t hold the line. Levine’s primary win underscores the problem: Democrats keep recycling the same insiders while New Yorkers suffer from crime, collapsed schools, and runaway costs. Conservatives should rally behind candidates who prioritize public safety, fiscal responsibility, and an honest accounting of city priorities before the next tax hike becomes inevitable.
Down in Virginia, polling shows Democrats holding leads in key statewide races even as Republican energy bubbles up in parts of the state, making the contest a must-win for the GOP if it hopes to retake momentum. The Democratic ticket features Abigail Spanberger at the top with a comfortable lead in recent aggregates, while the lieutenant governor’s slot went to Ghazala Hashmi for the Democrats after a crowded primary. This mix creates a battleground where messaging on crime, schools, and economic common sense can flip turnout — but only if Republicans run disciplined campaigns focused on voters’ real concerns.
Conservatives should not despair in Virginia; off-year elections are where smart, disciplined campaigns can deliver surprise victories by highlighting the failures of big-government promises. The left talks about “progress” while voters see declining quality of life, and that’s a narrative the GOP should hammer every day until Election Day. It’s time to remind Virginians that conservative stewardship means safer neighborhoods, accountable spending, and respect for parental rights in education.
New Jersey is a genuine toss-up that proves Democrats are not invincible even in blue states when Republicans run on kitchen-table issues and voters smell trouble in Washington. The Ciattarelli–Sherrill matchup tightened as the campaign progressed, and Sherrill has been forced to respond to questions about her past service record after an explosive disclosure of military documents. That controversy — and Republican momentum on taxes and cost of living — shows why conservative voters should turn out and why neutral voters are open to real change.
The Garden State also saw old-guard Democratic moves when party bosses tapped state Sen. Nellie Pou to replace the late Bill Pascrell Jr. on the ballot, a reminder that machine politics still operates in plain sight. Voters deserve transparent choices, not backroom replacements; conservatives should use that talking point to press for accountability and to elevate local GOP candidates who will stand for law and order and fiscal sanity.
These three contests — a socialist surge in New York City, a crucial Virginia battleground, and a tightening New Jersey fight — are not isolated skirmishes but signals of where our country is headed unless patriots step up. Turnout wins elections, and conservatives must show up early, volunteer, and make the case for common-sense governance with urgency and moral clarity. If we want safer streets, better schools, and government that respects families and taxpayers, now is the time to act.
