Good morning, everyone. Today’s update focuses on two major developments: last night’s historic election results and the Supreme Court showdown over Trump’s tariffs taking place this morning. I spent the night—yes, a sleepless one—analyzing every detail of the data, and the conclusion is unmistakable: Democratic victories were broader, deeper, and more decisive than anyone predicted. The results weren’t just wins; they were a resounding rejection of the White House and its agenda. I’ve broken down each major result below.
Our election night coverage reached tens of millions of Americans, and we did it together. I was in constant contact with teams and sources across key states, and we accurately called every single race. Even as we delivered real, data-driven reporting, the attacks from inside the White House began again—because they know we’re changing the game. Subscribe today and help us continue redefining what independent, fearless journalism can be.
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Here’s what you mised:
Last night’s election results marked one of the strongest nights for Democrats in nearly a decade, arguably surpassing even the 2018 blue wave that defined the first major backlash to Donald Trump’s presidency. The scale of victory was not just about who won, but by how much. Across key races and battlegrounds, Democrats didn’t simply edge out their opponents; they dominated, flipping deep-red territories, sweeping local boards, and posting double-digit margins that shattered recent historical norms. As results continue to roll in, it is clear that last night was a decisive repudiation of the current White House, not merely in outcome, but in the overwhelming mandate delivered at the ballot box.In Bucks County, PA, Democrats ousted all Republicans from both the Central Bucks and Pennridge school boards—districts that were ground zero for the conservative and anti-LGBTQ school board movement in 2021.In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger (D) won the governor’s race by over 14 points (95% counted), the largest margin for a Democratic gubernatorial nominee in the state since 1961.In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill (D) was elected governor, defeating Jack Ciattarelli (R) by a 13-point margin.In Orlando, FL, Tom Keen (D) won a blowout victory for City Commission, unseating the city’s only Republican commissioner, a 13-year incumbent.In Morgan County, Georgia, Democrats flipped the county from R+47 in 2024 to D+3 in 2025, a 50-point swing.In the statewide Public Service Commission races, Democrats appear set to flip both seats, currently leading by about 20 points with most early votes tallied.In California, Proposition 50 (mid-decade redistricting) is likely to exceed Kamala Harris’s 20-point statewide margin, possibly by a significant amount.In Virginia’s House of Delegates, Democrats gained control with 61 seats, likely increasing to 64, up from 51, just three short of a supermajority.In Cincinnati, OH, Democrats retained full control of city government, winning the mayor’s race and all nine council seats again despite GOP criticism and local controversies.In Maine, voters approved a new “red flag” gun law, making Maine the 22nd state with an extreme risk protection measure that allows family members to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. The law replaces parts of Maine’s existing “yellow flag” law by removing the requirement for a behavioral health assessment and allowing families, not just law enforcement, to initiate petitions.In Colorado, voters approved a ballot measure to raise state income taxes on households earning $300,000 or more in order to fund free meals for all public school students. The measure expands the Healthy School Meals for All Program, which previously provided free meals only to low-income students and schools after its 2022 approval.Final reported margins: Spanberger +15, Hashmi +11, Sherrill +13, Jones +6.2, Mamdani +8.8, Pennsylvania Supreme Court (D) +20, California Proposition 50 +~30.
In Bucks County, PA, Democrats ousted all Republicans from both the Central Bucks and Pennridge school boards—districts that were ground zero for the conservative and anti-LGBTQ school board movement in 2021.
In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger (D) won the governor’s race by over 14 points (95% counted), the largest margin for a Democratic gubernatorial nominee in the state since 1961.
In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill (D) was elected governor, defeating Jack Ciattarelli (R) by a 13-point margin.
In Orlando, FL, Tom Keen (D) won a blowout victory for City Commission, unseating the city’s only Republican commissioner, a 13-year incumbent.
In Morgan County, Georgia, Democrats flipped the county from R+47 in 2024 to D+3 in 2025, a 50-point swing.
In the statewide Public Service Commission races, Democrats appear set to flip both seats, currently leading by about 20 points with most early votes tallied.
In California, Proposition 50 (mid-decade redistricting) is likely to exceed Kamala Harris’s 20-point statewide margin, possibly by a significant amount.
In Virginia’s House of Delegates, Democrats gained control with 61 seats, likely increasing to 64, up from 51, just three short of a supermajority.
In Cincinnati, OH, Democrats retained full control of city government, winning the mayor’s race and all nine council seats again despite GOP criticism and local controversies.
In Maine, voters approved a new “red flag” gun law, making Maine the 22nd state with an extreme risk protection measure that allows family members to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. The law replaces parts of Maine’s existing “yellow flag” law by removing the requirement for a behavioral health assessment and allowing families, not just law enforcement, to initiate petitions.
In Colorado, voters approved a ballot measure to raise state income taxes on households earning $300,000 or more in order to fund free meals for all public school students. The measure expands the Healthy School Meals for All Program, which previously provided free meals only to low-income students and schools after its 2022 approval.
Final reported margins: Spanberger +15, Hashmi +11, Sherrill +13, Jones +6.2, Mamdani +8.8, Pennsylvania Supreme Court (D) +20, California Proposition 50 +~30.
Donald Trump issued a short response to last night’s election results, blaming the loss on the fact that he was not on the ballot. While true, his policies were on the ballot and many voters, based on exit polling, came out to vote against him.
Donald Trump said of last night’s elections: “I don’t think it was good for Republicans.”
Trump said the Senate filibuster should be abolished, arguing that doing so would make it “impossible to beat” Republicans.
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today on whether President Donald Trump had the authority to impose sweeping global tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law intended for use during national emergencies. The case, brought by small businesses and states, challenges Trump’s claim of broad executive power and could reshape the limits of presidential authority over trade policy.
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 36th day, becoming the longest in American history, as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over a funding bill tied to the renewal of Affordable Care Act tax credits. The standoff has furloughed roughly 700,000 federal workers, cost the economy an estimated $14 billion in GDP, and left millions at risk of losing health coverage, while negotiations in the Senate continue to fail amid deep partisan division.
At least seven people were killed and 11 injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, igniting a massive fire that spread to nearby businesses. Officials warned the death toll could rise as emergency crews search the debris from the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, which was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel and crashed roughly three miles south of the airfield; federal investigators from the NTSB and FAA are probing the cause.
Japan deployed troops from its Self-Defense Force to the northern Akita Prefecture after a record wave of bear attacks left 13 people dead and around 100 injured since April. Soldiers are assisting local authorities with trapping and removing bears near populated areas as experts cite rising bear populations, rural depopulation, and climate change as key factors behind the surge in encounters.
An American teacher, Daniel Owen, and his teenage son, Cooper, were stung to death while visiting an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang, Laos, on October 15. Owen, the director of QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam, and his son were reportedly stung more than 100 times before dying from their injuries, an incident described by local officials and the resort as an unprecedented and extraordinary natural occurrence.
A motorist intentionally rammed into pedestrians and cyclists on the French Atlantic island of Île d’Oléron, injuring nine people, including two critically, before being detained by authorities. Officials described multiple deliberate collisions between two towns on the island, prompting an investigation and the deployment of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to the scene.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
