In a flurry of political activity across the United States, voters in New Jersey and Tennessee have made decisive choices in key local and federal races, signaling potential shifts in the political landscape as the 2026 midterms loom. From mayoral shakeups and council appointments in New Jersey to a closely watched congressional race in Tennessee, the outcomes reveal both the evolving dynamics of local governance and the broader national mood.
On December 2, 2025, Jersey City ushered in a new era as James Solomon clinched the mayoral seat in a runoff, according to CNN. Solomon’s victory marks the city’s first new mayor since 2013, ending the tenure of Steve Fulop, who chose not to seek re-election in order to pursue the New Jersey governorship. Fulop’s bid for higher office ultimately fell short when he lost the Democratic primary to Mikie Sherrill, who is now the governor-elect. Solomon’s win also closed the door on former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey’s attempt to return to elected office after more than twenty years. As the younger and more progressive candidate, Solomon’s ascent is seen as a harbinger of change in Jersey City’s leadership and political direction.
Meanwhile, in West Orange, New Jersey, another familiar face returned to public office. On November 24, 2025, Tammy Williams was sworn in as a town council member after winning a special election to fill the unexpired term left by Asmeret Ghebremicael, who resigned earlier in the year. According to local reporting, Williams, a former council president, secured her victory by a margin of more than 800 votes, demonstrating strong community support. The oath was administered by New Jersey state senator and former West Orange mayor John McKeon, underscoring the continuity of local leadership even amid transitions.
While these municipal races may seem parochial, they are unfolding against the backdrop of significant federal contests that are drawing national attention. In Tennessee, Republican Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in a special election for the state’s 7th Congressional District, a seat left vacant after Rep. Mark E. Green resigned in July to pursue private sector opportunities. As reported by Roll Call, Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot and member of Governor Bill Lee’s Cabinet, captured about 54 percent of the vote, outpacing Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn’s 45 percent, with nearly all ballots counted.
Van Epps’s win, while expected in this traditionally conservative district, came with a narrower margin than Republicans are accustomed to—a fact that has not gone unnoticed by political observers. The district, which includes parts of Nashville and was designed to be safely Republican after recent redistricting, saw both parties invest heavily as polls tightened in the campaign’s final weeks. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin hailed Behn’s performance as “historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms,” emphasizing that Democrats are “on offense and Republicans are on the ropes.”
The race was marked by high-profile endorsements and significant spending. Van Epps credited former President Donald Trump’s support as key to his success, stating in a campaign release, “Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win.” Trump’s involvement included tele-rallies and appeals on his Truth Social platform, while groups like MAGA Inc. and the Club for Growth poured millions into supporting Van Epps. On the Democratic side, organizations such as House Majority PAC and Planned Parenthood Votes invested in Behn, focusing their messaging on affordability—a theme that resonated in other recent Democratic victories across the country.
Van Epps, who will join a House Republican Caucus at full strength with 220 members after his swearing-in, campaigned on a platform closely aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda, particularly on immigration and law enforcement. “I think the American Dream starts with law and order, and so I fully support the president in his initiatives and efforts around immigration,” Van Epps told Clarksville Now. His military background, including nine combat tours after graduating from West Point in 2005, adds to the growing cohort of post-9/11 veterans serving in Congress.
Yet, the relatively close result in a district Trump carried by 22 points in the previous presidential election has energized Democrats, who see it as part of a broader trend. This year alone, Democratic candidates have outperformed expectations in several House special elections, even in traditionally Republican strongholds—a pattern that many interpret as a sign of shifting political winds ahead of 2026.
Back in New Jersey, the political spotlight is turning to the upcoming special primary for the state’s 11th Congressional District, vacated by governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. By December 1, 2025, a crowded field of 13 Democrats and a single Republican had filed petitions to run, according to NorthJersey.com. The Democratic contenders include notable figures such as former Rep. Tom Malinowski, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, and others, each boasting endorsements from prominent state and national leaders. Gill, for example, has the backing of Governor Phil Murphy, while Way has support from the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and other influential groups. The lone Republican candidate is Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway.
The February 5, 2026, primary is expected to be fiercely contested, with the winners from each party facing off in a special election on April 16 to serve the remainder of Sherrill’s term, which expires in January 2027. The 11th District, which now leans more Democratic following redistricting, encompasses municipalities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties. Before Sherrill’s 2018 victory, the district had not elected a Democrat in decades, but demographic and political changes have altered its landscape, making it a bellwether for statewide trends.
As the dust settles on these latest elections, several themes emerge. First, local leadership in New Jersey is undergoing a generational shift, with new faces and progressive voices taking the reins in cities and towns. Second, the national mood appears more volatile than in recent cycles, with Democrats making inroads even in districts drawn to favor Republicans. Third, the role of high-profile endorsements and campaign spending—especially from national figures like Trump—remains potent, but perhaps not as determinative as in the past.
With the 2026 midterms approaching, both parties are keenly aware that every race, from city hall to Congress, is now a proving ground for their strategies and messages. The outcomes in New Jersey and Tennessee offer a snapshot of a nation in political flux, where voter engagement, demographic shifts, and the resonance of local issues can upend even the most carefully laid plans.
For now, the victors—Solomon, Williams, and Van Epps—prepare to take office, each facing their own set of challenges and opportunities. As voters look ahead to the next round of contests, the message is clear: in American politics, the only constant is change.
