Democrats Win Key Governorship Elections In The US

Democrats have scored two significant victories in the US – in the first statewide elections since President Donald Trump came to power in January.

According to a BBC report, in Virginia, Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in a governorship race marked by tussles on immigration and Confederate statues.

Phil Murphy, who beat Kim Guadagno, will be New Jersey governor.

The results could give an early indication of how next year’s midterm congressional elections will turn out.

New York City’s Democrat mayor was also comfortably re-elected.

Meanwhile, Virginia voters also made history by electing their first openly transgender state legislator.

Democrats have been craving something to celebrate after defeat in four congressional special elections this year, despite a groundswell of grassroots opposition to President Trump.

With nearly all the votes countered in Virginia, Mr Northam had 53.9% against 44.9% for Mr Gillespie.

Mr Northam, the lieutenant governor of Virginia, will now replace popular Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat.

Mr Northam won despite a series of flip-flops during the campaign.

Progressive supporters were outraged after Mr Northam reversed stance to say he would oppose any attempt by a Virginia city to provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants.