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Various polls around the country have closed this evening, with Democrats winning gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Bill De Blasio was also reelected as Mayor of New York City.

Democrats and Northam Best Gillespie in Virginia

In a key litmus test for voter opinion over Trump, Ralph Northam handily beat Republican Ed Gillespie. Northam is the sitting lieutenant governor of Virginia. This race was closely watched around the country as a barometer for voter attitude towards Trump, as Gillespie is a supporter of the President. Northam defeated him 54% to 45%. The campaign in Virginia became racially charged at times. Gillespie accused Northam of being too sympathetic to alleged sanctuary cities in the state. He cited the advancing threat of the gang MS-13. Gillespie failed to gather any sizable base during the campaign. Although he had easily had the state's rural areas, he was rebuffed by moderates and centrists in the populated parts of Virginia. As a result, he lost by nine points. Gillespie actually avoided mentioning the President's name. Instead, he referred to him as the "administration" and last year's Republican "ticket."

Curtain Closes on Christie in New Jersey

The up-and-down governorship of Chris Christie will come to end with the reins being turned back over to a Democrat. Philip D. Murphy defeated Christie's lieutenant governor Kim Guadagno. The last few years of Chris Christie's tenure have been tumultuous to say the least. Furthermore, he barely survived the bridge-gate scandal, where two of his aides were sent to prison over illegal road closures between New Jersey and New York City. Most recently, A New Jersey state government shutdown forced many beaches on the shore to close. Christie was photographed with friends and family on one of the closed beaches.

Maine

In Maine, resident voted to expand the state's medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Many Republican-controlled states have refused to expand the program as mandated under the ACA. Furthermore, Maine is the first decide the issue by referendum. Furthermore, Utah and Idaho are likely to follow suit in bringing the issue to the ballot box.