President Trump weighed in on Tuesday’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey, warning in a Truth Social post that a vote for Democrats is a “death wish.”
“Virginia and New Jersey, VOTE REPUBLICAN IF YOU WANT MASSIVE ENERGY COST AND CRIME REDUCTIONS,” Trump wrote Wednesday. “The Democrats will double and even triple your Energy Costs, and CRIME will be rampant. A vote for the Democrats is a DEATH WISH! VOTE REPUBLICAN!!!”
Trump has frequently inserted himself in the two off-year elections. Earlier this year, he endorsed New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli in the Republican primary.
The president has railed against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), saying in a separate Truth Social post earlier this week that a Sherrill administration would result in a “hotbed of crime,” “skyrocketing energy prices,” and “heartache.”
The election in New Jersey has proven to be a nail-biter for Democrats, giving Republicans hope in the blue state. According to the latest polling average from The Hill’s partners at Decision Desk HQ, Sherrill leads Ciattarelli 49.9 percent to 44.5 percent.
In Virginia, Trump endorsed incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) for reelection earlier this month in the wake of a texting scandal involving Democratic candidate Jay Jones.
However, the president has notably not issued a full-throated endorsement for Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governor in the state.
“I haven’t been too much involved in Virginia — I love the state; I did very well in the state,” Trump told reporters earlier this month. “I think the Republican candidate is very good, and she should win because the Democrat candidate is a disaster.”
Polls have consistently shown Democratic nominee former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) leading Earle-Sears. The Decision Desk HQ average has Spanberger leading Earle-Sears 51.4 percent to 43.7 percent.
Virginia’s attorney general race has proven to be more competitive, particularly in the wake of the texting scandal.
A Washington Post/Schar School poll released last week showed Miyares and Jones tied at 46 percent support among likely voters. Meanwhile, a Virginia Commonwealth University poll showed Miyares leading Jones 45 percent to 42 percent.
