Politics

Democrats in key races benefited from voters who don't like either party: NBC exit poll

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Luke Fountain@Luke_Fountain25
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Key Points
  • In Virginia's gubernatorial race, 10% of voters viewed both major parties unfavorably.
  • Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger drew support from 72% of that group, while Republican Winsome Earle-Searsc drew just 23%.
  • Similar voting patterns among disaffected voters were observed in other races, including New Jersey's gubernatorial race and New York City's mayoral election.
Voters cast their ballots at a polling station at the Ida Lee Recreation Center in Leesburg, Virginia, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images

In Virginia's closely watched gubernatorial race, Democrats appear to have benefited from a small but decisive bloc of voters who harbor unfavorable views of both major political parties, according to NBC News exit polls.

That Democratic advantage there among disaffected voters mirrors trends seen in other contests Tuesday, including the New Jersey governor's race and the New York City mayoral election, NBC reported.

In Virginia, 41% of voters said that they had a favorable view only of the Democratic Party, and another 41% favorably viewed only the Republican Party, according to NBC's poll.

But 10% said they viewed neither party favorably.

And among that group, 72% backed Democrat nominee Abigail Spanberger over Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, who drew just 23%, NBC found.

The findings come despite recent data showing a decline in Democratic voter registrations and a slide in the party's favorability ratings nationwide.

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