The DNC congratulates New York state Senator-elect Sam Sutton on his huge upset victory in the New York Senate District 22 race, in a district that Donald Trump won by 55 points in November. Sutton’s victory, by nearly a 2-1 margin, extends Democrats’ 2025 special election winning streak as we continue to overperform in elections across the country. In blue, purple, and red districts everywhere, Democrats are overperforming and winning. 

As Republicans alienate their base with their deeply unpopular agenda, voters are sending a clear message to Republicans that no district is “safe” anymore. 

In response to Sutton’s groundbreaking victory, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“Voters are tired of Republicans enabling Trump and they’re ready to reject candidates that co-sign his extreme, out-of-touch agenda that hurts working families. Last night’s victory, in a district Donald Trump won by 55 points in November, is yet another proof point Republicans are sinking. While Trump and Republicans side with billionaires, voters are siding with strong Democratic leaders who will fight for everyday Americans, protect their rights, and uphold their freedoms. That’s why Democrats are consistently overperforming in 2025 and will continue building momentum into 2026 and beyond.”

Last night, Democrat Sam Sutton defeated his Republican opponent to win New York’s 22nd State Senate District special election — a district Trump won by 55 points in 2024. 

The Hill: “Democrats win New York state Senate race in Trump-friendly district”

“Democrat Sam Sutton has won a special election for a New York state Senate seat, repelling Republican efforts to flip the conservative-leaning district. …

“State Senate District 22 encompasses a part of Brooklyn that overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in the November presidential election. …

“Sutton comfortably won over Caller by roughly a 2-to-1 margin, as of the latest vote count Wednesday morning.”

VINnews: “Democrat Sam Sutton defeated Republican and Conservative nominee Nachman Caller to win New York’s 22nd State Senate District, flipping a seat long eyed by the GOP after Donald Trump’s 77% showing there in 2024. …

“While Republicans had hoped for a symbolic win in a Trump-friendly area, Sutton’s victory underscores Democrats’ enduring organizational strength in New York City.”

In 2025, Democrats are sweeping election victories up and down the ballot and overperforming in elections across the country. 

Washington Post: “Democrats pull off an upset in Nebraska, electing Omaha’s first Black mayor”

“John Ewing Jr. was elected Omaha’s first Black mayor on Tuesday, defeating the city’s three-term Republican mayor, Jean Stothert, in a race where Democrats sought to tie her to President Donald Trump’s unpopular agenda — another warning sign for Republicans in a critical battleground area.”

KOLN: “Although Lincoln’s city election is officially nonpartisan, Democratic leaders are declaring victory after several registered Democrats appeared to win key races, including seats on the City Council, Lincoln Public Schools Board, and Airport Authority.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch: “Democrat Angelina Ramirez said Wednesday her victory in the Iowa House District 78 special election shows growing discontent among Iowa voters with Republican control in both the state and federal government.”

Newsweek: “Democrat Flips Florida County That Donald Trump Won by 19 Points” 

Orlando Sentinel: “But Tuesday’s results showed a nearly 20-point swing towards Democrats compared to last year, a change that echoes similar shifts in recent special elections, including a state Senate win by a Democrat last week in a heavily red seat in Pennsylvania.

“Tuesday’s special election for congressional District 1 in the Panhandle saw a similar swing, with Republican CFO Jimmy Patronis defeating Democrat Gay Valimont by about 14 points in a seat Matt Gaetz won by 32 points last year.”

CNN: “Democrat James Andrew Malone narrowly won a special election for a Pennsylvania state Senate seat in a stretch of Republican-leaning suburbs and farming communities, scoring an upset in a territory that a Democrat hasn’t represented in the chamber for 136 years.”

Wisconsin Examiner: “Wisconsin voters elect Susan Crawford in rebuke of Trump, Musk”

“Dane County Judge Susan Crawford was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Tuesday, solidifying liberal control of the body until 2028 and marking a sharp rebuke by the state’s voters of the policies of President Donald Trump and the financial might of his most prominent adviser, Elon Musk. 

“Crawford rode massive turnout in Dane and Milwaukee counties and outperformed Kamala Harris’ effort last year in a number of other parts of the state to defeat her opponent, Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel by about 10 points.”

NBC News: “In 16 special state legislative and congressional elections held so far this year, Democrats have bettered their margin of victory or defeat compared to the 2024 Trump-Harris battle by an average of about 11.5 points.” 

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