How Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ is shaping this year’s biggest elections
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President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax cut and spending law known as the “big beautiful bill” is expected to be a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections. But first, candidates for governor this year in Virginia and New Jersey are already testing how the measure plays on the campaign trail.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominees in New Jersey and Virginia, respectively, have warned about devastating impacts from looming cuts to social safety net programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Republicansaretakingmixedapproaches.InNewJersey,ahigh-taxstatewhereaffordabilityisatopissue,formerAssemblymanJackCiattarelliandhisalliesareplanningtogoonoffense,arguingthatSherrillvotedtoblockcriticaltaxcuts.
AndinVirginia,Lt.Gov.WinsomeEarle-Sears,theGOPnominee,hasdismissedconcernsaboutprogramcuts,arguingthatthestate’sRepublicangovernorhasputthestateinastrongpositiontorespond.
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