Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast How Trump Lost Without Being On The Ballot
Nov 5, 2025
Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief for USA Today and a seasoned political journalist, explores the recent electoral impacts across the U.S. She discusses how Trump's influence is reshaping local elections and analyzes shifting Latino voting patterns in New Jersey. With a spotlight on Democratic victories, she stresses the importance of candidate quality versus partisan mood and highlights Mamdani's rising national prominence. Page also addresses the repercussions of the government shutdown and the future challenges for Republicans in a post-Trump landscape.
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Local Races Mirrored National Politics
- Local races reflected nationalized politics with Trump as a central issue across contests.
- Off-year elections still provide only imperfect signals for future national outcomes.
No Instant Realignment Of Latino Voters
- Latino support for Trump in 2024 did not automatically realign them to Republicans in these off-year races.
- Electorates shift slowly and remain in flux rather than flipping in a single election.
Wide Ideological Range In Democratic Wins
- Democrats won with a wide ideological range from centrists to democratic socialists.
- This diversity shows candidates tailored to their constituencies but raises questions about party identity ahead of 2028.
