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Statement from CEO of NewDEAL Debbie Cox Bultan on 2025 Off-Year Election Results And Democrats’ Path Forward

News Category: Media, Statements and Press Releases

Statement from CEO of NewDEAL Debbie Cox Bultan
on 2025 Off-Year Election Results And Democrats’ Path Forward

“Tuesday’s overwhelming Democratic victory demonstrates the power of strong leaders with bold, pragmatic ideas and points the way forward for 2026.

Democrats' wins in Virginia and New Jersey – and across the nation – represent a clear repudiation of Trump and Trumpism and a reminder that when Democrats put forward compelling candidates focused on the right issues, voters will give us the opportunity to lead.

I want to congratulate Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, both of whom had outstanding records as members of the moderate New Democrat Coalition in Congress and who led the way. Their campaigns, focused on affordability, opportunity, and housing and healthcare solutions, show that voters will support leaders who put kitchen-table issues first.

Additionally, I want to congratulate the nearly two dozen NewDEAL Leaders who won (or are on the way to winning) new seats or re-election this week. This includes Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, and Virginia Delegates Michael Feggans and Irene Shin.

Looking to the 2026 midterms, Democrats must double down on laying out our vision for our nation, putting forward candidates who show true leadership, prioritizing solutions that address Americans’ everyday challenges, and standing up against the dangerous approach and ineffective policies put forward by the President and his allies.

This effort begins with state and local leaders, who remain on the front lines of the effort to take back our country. They are proving that good policy is good politics. Effective, pragmatic governance builds trust, strengthens communities, and drives lasting change.”

See below for the full breakdown of NewDEAL Leaders who won their races on Tuesday evening.

Amanda Edwards (advanced to runoff for U.S. House, TX-18) * Lou Greenwald (Assemblymember, Voorhees, NJ) * Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (Delegate, Alexandria, VA) * Irene Shin (Delegate, Herndon, VA) * Mark Sickles (Delegate, Franconia, VA) * Kathy Tran (Delegate, Fairfax, VA) * Michael Feggans (Delegate, Virginia Beach, VA) * Dorcey Applyrs (Mayor, Albany, NY) * Tim Keller (advanced to runoff for Mayor, Albuquerque, NM) * Michelle Wu (Mayor, Boston, MA) * Zeb Smathers (Mayor, Canton, NC) * Ashley Vanorny (Councilmember, Cedar Rapids, IA) * Aftab Pureval (Mayor, Cincinnati, OH) * Justin Bibb (Mayor, Cleveland, OH) * Zach Klein (City Attorney, Columbus, OH) * Leonardo Williams (Mayor, Durham, NC) * Cassie Franklin (Mayor, Everett, WA) * Andy Schor (Mayor, Lansing, MI) * Nantasha Williams (Councilmember, New York, NY) * Paig Cognetti (Mayor, Scranton, PA) * Erika Strassburger (Councilmember, Pittsburgh, PA) * Caroline Simmons (Mayor, Stamford, CT) * Quentin Hart (advanced to runoff for Mayor, Waterloo, IA) * Logan Heley (re-elected as Councilmember, Overland Park, KS)

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