June's Big Political Showdowns: What to Watch

June is shaping up to be a crucial month for politics. Three major races are heating up, and each has its own unique twists and turns. Let`s dive in. First up, New Jersey. The Garden State is set to pick its gubernatorial candidates on June 10. The Republican side seems pretty clear. Jack Ciattarelli is the front-runner, especially after President Trump gave him a thumbs up. But the Democratic race is more of a wild card. Rep. Mikie Sherrill is leading the pack, but she`s got some tough competition. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is running against the political establishment, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is trying to rally both Black voters and progressives. The general election in New Jersey will be a clash of trends. Historically, the party in power in the White House has a tough time winning the governorship. But Democrats are also trying to pull off something that hasn`t happened since 1961: winning the governorship three times in a row. It`s going to be a battle. Over in Virginia, the gubernatorial nominations are already locked in. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl-Sears for the Republicans and Rep. Abigail Spanberger for the Democrats. Polls show Spanberger ahead, and history suggests Virginians tend to vote against the party in power in the White House. It`s looking like a tough road for Earl-Sears. Then there`s New York City. The Big Apple is trying out ranked-choice voting for its mayoral primary on June 24. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the favorite, but Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is giving him a run for his money. Mamdani is tapping into a younger, more progressive voter base. If he pulls off an upset, things could get really interesting. Cuomo could still run in the general election on a new party line, and there`s also the Working Families Party to consider. Plus, Mayor Eric Adams is still in the mix, running on his own lines. It`s a mess, but it`s New York. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pushing Democrats to be more visible and vocal in their opposition to President Trump. He`s been hitting the media circuit hard, urging his party to flood the zone with their message. It`s a big change for a politician known for being cautious, but Jeffries is stepping up. If this strategy pays off, he could be in line to become the next Speaker of the House.