Historic turnout among women propelled Democratic victories nationwide, underscoring the political power of gender equality and reproductive rights.
Women voters were the decisive force in the 2025 elections, driving sweeping Democratic victories across key states. Women turned out at higher rates than men and made up a majority of voters, and historic gender gaps reshaped the political landscape.
- In Virginia, 65 percent of women voted for Democrat Abigail Spanberger for governor, according to the Fox News Voter Analysis conducted from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, compared to just 48 percent of men—a 17-point gender gap.
- In New Jersey, women backed Democrat Mikie Sherrill by 62 percent, compared with 49 percent of men—a 13-point gap that proved decisive in her win.
Despite these large gender gaps, both women still secured solid support from men: nearly half the men in each state. (One Democratic strategist called this solid vote share a “pleasant surprise” for the party.)
Across both states, abortion rights and gender equality were central motivators for women voters: Sixty-one percent of Virginia voters said abortion should be legal, and 82 percent of those voters supported Spanberger.
Voters’ views on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights also strongly correlated with support for Sherrill: Ninety-two percent of voters who said the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement had “gone too far,” and 94 percent of those who said society had “not gone far enough” in supporting transgender rights, cast ballots for Sherrill.
Together, the data reveal that support for women’s rights, reproductive freedom, gender equality and fair immigration policies powered a Democratic sweep this election season.
Vote Mama founder and CEO Liuba Grechen Shirley also highlighted the landmark victories among women and mothers as candidates on a Tuesday press call: “Mamas defied historical trends. They won gubernatorial races. They flipped seats from red to blue. And they did this because they centered motherhood and the cost-of-living crisis. … Mikie is a mom of four, Abigail is a mom of three. … These two women embrace their motherhood. They use it as a way to show voters they know what it’s like to raise a family in America today. … American people want … authentic leaders who will actually talk about the biggest issues that American families face, … and there is literally no one better to do that than moms.”
Below are the results of the state-by-state election results that feminists most care about, in alphabetical order by state.
This article will be updated as more races are called; it also includes links throughout for you to check the data yourself.
California
California’s Proposition 50—also known as the Election Rigging Response Act—has passed. (Track live polling data from the California secretary of state here.) The constitutional amendment will temporarily replace California’s independent congressional redistricting process with legislatively drawn maps that are more likely to elect Democrats. The new map is a direct response to the Trump-Texas gerrymandering plan in states like Texas, and has the potential to change the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving Democrats up to five new seats from California.
There is a “huge appetite and willingness of Californians to stand up to Donald Trump,” said California political strategist Erica Kwiatkowski Nielsen.
“Donald Trump does not believe in free and fair elections,” said Gov. Newsom in a victory speech. “Trump … promised to make us healthier. He promised to make us wealthier. We’re sicker and poorer; and he fundamentally understands that.”
Colorado
Voters in Colorado approved measures to fund free breakfast and lunch for all kids in public schools in the state, provide raises to cafeteria workers, and provide funding so schools can afford fresh and local food.
Healthy School Meals for All, which made meals free to students, was passed in the state in 2022. Propositions LL, which allows the state to retain funds for Healthy School Meals for All, and MM, which increases taxes on wealthy households to fund the program, will ensure that the state does not have to impose cost-cutting measures that would significantly decrease the quality of food students receive.
“Hunger is top of mind for a lot of people right now, and it’s really visible for people,” said Anya Rose with Hunger Free Colorado, referencing the fight to fund SNAP during the government shutdown. “This is an incredibly popular program that is more important than ever, since there are so many people struggling to make ends meet and resources have fallen through for a lot.”
Georgia
Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson ousted two Republicans on Georgia’s Utility board, in what many see as a bellwether for the midterms. The vote comes as a shocking upset—since 2007, no Democrat has served on the commission. The Democratic candidates used Georgians’ anger over rising electric bills to their advantage, winning the only statewide elections in Georgia this year.
Maine
In Maine, voters struck down Question 1, which would have limited dropboxes, eliminated days of absentee voting, banned prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, and added a new photo identification requirement at the polls. The measure failed in a state where more than 40 percent of voters cast absentee ballots.
“Once again, Maine people have affirmed their faith in our free, fair and secure elections by rejecting an attempt to restrict voting rights. Maine has long had one of the nation’s highest voter turnout rates, thanks in part to safe absentee voting—and tonight, they said they want to keep it that way,” said Gov. Janet Mills.
Maine also passed Question 2, adopting a “red flag” law—similar to those in 21 other states—that would allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.
“Despite years of opposition from the gun lobby and the politicians they back, we’ve shown that our movement for common-sense, responsible gun ownership is stronger,” said Nacole Palmer of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
Massachusetts
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the city’s first woman and first Asian American mayor, has secured a second term after running unopposed. Wu has gained praise for her undaunted efforts to push back against the Trump administration. During her first term, the mother of three prioritized investing in affordable housing and supporting working families. After her win she had a message for President Trump: “This election was about … what we believe. Whether we believe that wealth should buy power—we don’t. Whether experience matters—it does. And most of all, whether we will bow to a criminal who acts like a king.”
Michigan
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield has made history as the city’s first female mayor, running on a platform focused on expanding housing options for single mothers and their families. She won with 77 percent of the vote.
“Throughout Detroit’s 324-year history, 75 mayors have led this city. Not one has been a woman. But tonight, Detroit, we know that changes,” Sheffield said.
Mississippi
After six years, Democrats have ended the Republican Party’s supermajority in the Mississippi Senate. Voters flipped two GOP-held seats, bringing the number of Republican senators down from 36 to 34—just short of the threshold needed for supermajority control.
Holding a supermajority in the Mississippi Senate allows a party to override gubernatorial vetoes, advance constitutional amendments, and take procedural steps such as reviving legislation that has failed.
The Mississippi Democratic Party hailed the outcome as “a historic rebuke of extremism.”
New Jersey
New Jersey has officially elected its first Democratic woman governor and only the second woman to ever hold the office: U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor. Sherill leads with 56.2 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor twice before and was endorsed by President Trump this year. So far, nearly every county with most of its votes reported has shifted blue, compared to the 2024 presidential election.
With only six seats still too close to call, the State Assembly race has also delivered a significant blow to the Republican Party, as Democrats currently lead with a commanding 49-19 majority. While the state was already solidly blue, these additional gains underscore the party’s continued strength.
Voters in Jersey City and Hoboken will have to wait until Dec. 2 to learn who their next mayors will be. In Jersey City, former Gov. Jim McGreevey—once seen as the frontrunner—is headed to a runoff after no candidate in the seven-person race won a majority. He’ll face City Councilman James Solomon. Both are Democrats, though the race is officially nonpartisan. In Hoboken, Councilmembers Emily Jabbour and Michael Russo will compete in a Dec. 2 runoff for mayor.
Pennsylvania
With nearly 95 percent of the votes counted, all three Democratic justices on the state Supreme Court—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht—have won their retention elections.
The far right spent millions trying to flip this court. Their continued service ensures a 5–2 majority for Democrats to uphold abortion rights, ERA protections and fair redistricting. This is the court that ruled in favor of abortion access for Medicaid recipients and will continue to serve as a firewall against dark money and political interference.
In one ad leading up to the election, the three justices appeared together, telling voters, “We protected access to abortion. And your right to vote. Even when the powerful came after it.” All three justices will serve terms until 2035.
On the Commonwealth Court, Judge Michael Wojcik (D) was retained, and Stella Tsai (D) won the open seat. On the Superior Court, Judge Alice Dubow (D) was retained, while Brandon Neuman (D) claimed the open seat. The offices of Controller and District Attorney also remained in Democratic hands. Both courts maintain a female majority.
Texas
In Texas, voters approved Proposition 15 to codify Parental Rights into the state constitution as an amendment to the Texas Bill of Rights. It declares that “parents are the primary decision makers for their children,” mirroring a theme championed by Gov. Greg Abbott and congressional Republicans. The amendment will make it harder for young people in Texas to access contraception, sex education and gender-affirming care.
Progress Texas warned the amendment could “weaponize the Constitution to propagate right-wing culture wars involving LGBTQ+ families, book bans, and what’s taught in public schools.”
Voters also approved Proposition 16, which reiterates “that a voter must be a United States citizen,” despite the fact that noncitizens are already prohibited from voting and rarely attempt to. This citizenship amendment was driven by election-fraud conspiracies and anti-immigrant fearmongering.
The open seat in the 18th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives, a historically Black district, will head to a runoff early next year. Advancing are County Attorney Christian Menefee, who received 28.9 percent of the vote, and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, with 25.6 percent. The seat was originally held by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D).
Virginia
Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) has made history as the winner of Virginia’s gubernatorial race—becoming the first woman ever to hold the office. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, she leads with 57.2 percent of the vote, while Winsome Earle-Sears trails at 42.6 percent. Every single county shifted blue from the 2024 presidential election.
One of only two states to hold gubernatorial elections the year after a presidential election, Virginia often serves as a national mood check. For the first time, both major party candidates for governor were women.
“Nine of the 13 seats the Democrats flipped [in Virginia] were moms,” Shirley said on Vote Mama’s Tuesday press call. “So this mom-powered majority, this mom-powered trifecta … they’re going to be able to deliver on pro-family policies. They have a real opportunity to actually invest in families and the entire economy, to invest in affordable childcare, in strong public education, and so much more. And I cannot wait to see what they’re going to do.”
The party has also secured control of the executive branch. Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D) defeated conservative talk-show host John Reid in the lieutenant governor’s race with 55.28 percent of the vote, compared to his 44.47, becoming the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the U.S.
Former state delegate Jay Jones will serve as the next attorney general, after unseating incumbent Jason Miyares with 52.72 percent of the vote to Miyares’ 46.88 percent.
Going into the election, Democrats held a narrow 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates, with all 100 seats up for grabs. They have now expanded that majority exponentially to 61-31, with five seats still unconfirmed—one of the largest margins in history.
The Virginia Senate currently maintains a slim Democratic majority at 21-19. The next Virginia Senate election is scheduled for 2027, as all 40 Senate seats are up in November 2023, and those terms run for four years.
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