Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Nov 5: US President Donald Trump has blamed the Republican Party’s losses in recent elections on his absence from the ballot and the ongoing government shutdown, calling them the key reasons behind the setbacks.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,” citing pollster analysis to back his claim.

His remarks came after Democrat Zohran Mamdani made history by being elected Mayor of New York City, becoming the first South Asian and Muslim to lead America’s largest city. The 34-year-old defeated Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, the former New York Governor who received Trump’s endorsement only a day before the election.

Meanwhile, in another major win for Democrats, US Representative Mikie Sherrill triumphed in the New Jersey governor’s race, defeating Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli. According to the Associated Press, Sherrill led with 57% of the vote against Ciattarelli’s 42%, with 63% of ballots counted.

A former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, Sherrill, 53, will replace outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who was constitutionally barred from a third term. Her victory marks the first time in six decades that one party has won three consecutive gubernatorial terms in New Jersey.