GOP Eyes Electoral Gains in Virginia and New Jersey Amid Trump’s Second Term
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is strategically targeting Virginia and New Jersey, two Democrat-leaning states, for potential electoral gains in the upcoming 2025 elections, marking the first election cycle of President Donald Trump’s second term. The RSLC is adopting an offensive posture, aiming to capitalize on perceived Democratic vulnerabilities and prevent a repeat of the setbacks experienced after Trump’s initial victory in 2016.
In a memo released Tuesday, RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón outlined the group’s strategy for these states, emphasizing a focus on Democratic legislative shortcomings related to taxes, crime, and education. The RSLC plans to leverage digital ad campaigns to highlight these issues, shifting away from solely defending the Trump administration’s actions.
The RSLC acknowledges the challenges ahead but believes Republicans are better positioned than in 2017 to compete effectively in these states. The group intends to employ lessons learned from the 2017-2018 election cycle, where Democrats successfully nationalized local races and linked GOP candidates to federal dysfunction, capitalizing on the momentum following Trump’s 2016 win.
Recognizing that Democrats are eager to use Trump’s return to the White House to bolster their efforts and potentially trigger a significant political realignment in 2025, the RSLC is determined to counter this narrative. The group is committed to proving them wrong by focusing on targeted strategies and resource allocation.
The 2025 elections in Virginia and New Jersey will feature several important statewide races, including elections for governor and key House seats that could significantly impact the balance of power in these states. Local races, such as those for major school districts like Loudoun County in Virginia, and municipal government positions like Jersey City mayor and Richmond City commonwealth attorney, will also be closely contested.
The RSLC’s strategy includes a continued emphasis on robust absentee ballot and early voting initiatives in both states. This approach proved successful in Virginia in 2023, helping Republicans prevent Democrats from expanding their legislative majorities.
The RSLC invested nearly $1 million in an absentee and mail-in ballot initiative in New Jersey last year, which it claims helped boost Republican engagement in a state increasingly viewed as a potential swing state. This effort, combined with targeted digital advertising, has helped Republicans establish a strong foundation for competitive performance in key battleground areas of New Jersey. The RSLC hopes to build upon this foundation in 2025, particularly in New Jersey House Districts 3, 8, 11, and 30.
The RSLC recognizes that gaining ground in Virginia and New Jersey will be difficult. However, the group asserts that Republicans are far better positioned than they were in 2017.
The Republican State Leadership Committee and its affiliated PACs are making substantial investments in both states, not just to maintain current positions but to prevent Democrats from gaining the momentum needed to pose a serious challenge in 2026. The RSLC emphasizes that every seat contested and every message communicated in 2025 is significant. The effort to avoid a repeat of the 2017-2018 outcome has already begun, with a smarter, more prepared Republican Party ready to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
The RSLC also plans on reaching out to low-propensity Republican voters, a strategy that proved effective in Virginia during the 2023 elections.
In Loudoun County, Virginia, GOP lawmakers are demanding investigations into alleged attacks against parents, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding education-related issues in the state.
The RSLC views the 2025 elections as a crucial opportunity to disrupt the Left’s plan to gain unchecked momentum heading into 2026. The group is determined to break through Democrat strongholds and make strides in key districts by focusing on issues that resonate with voters, such as taxes, crime, and education.
By learning from past experiences and implementing a smarter, more targeted strategy, the RSLC believes Republicans can achieve significant electoral gains in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, setting the stage for continued success in future election cycles.
