With exactly two weeks until Election Day, some key races could have big impacts nationwide. In New Jersey and Virginia, there are contests for governor. New York City voters will be choosing their next mayor, and in California, voters will be deciding on the state's congressional map.

New York

With major elections approaching in New York, Virginia, California, and New Jersey, political observers are monitoring several key races that may have broader national implications. New Jersey and Virginia are holding closely watched gubernatorial and attorney general contests, while New York City voters will select a new mayor. In California, voters will decide on Proposition 50, a ballot measure that could change how congressional maps are drawn, potentially benefiting Democrats.

These off-year elections are seen as early indicators for both major parties ahead of the next midterm cycle. Democrats are aiming to demonstrate a rebound after previous losses, while Republicans hope to maintain or expand their recent gains. The outcome of the New York City mayoral race, where progressive candidate Zoran Mamdani leads in polls, may also influence the direction of the Democratic Party nationally.

Breaking down the key November races in NY, VA, CA and NJ

With exactly two weeks until Election Day, we're keeping an eye on some key races that could have big impacts nationwide in New Jersey and Virginia There are contests for governor and Attorney General New York City voters will be choosing their next mayor and in California a chance to weigh in on what's known as prop 50 a ballot Measure that would change how the state draws its congressional maps specifically to benefit Democrats for more Let's bring in CBS News executive director of White House and politics Finn Gomez been good to see you This is an off-year, but we're seeing a lot of engagement in these races. Obviously Democrats hoping for wins in Virginia in New Jersey They're trying to bounce back still and have this identity crisis. That's ongoing. What are you watching? Yeah, Lindsay first all one welcome back. It's really good to see you back in that anchor chair, but to yeah We are just two weeks away from one of the most Consequential off your election cycles that I haven't covered at least New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states holding these governor's races that you mentioned so they attract this outsized-national attention because they can serve as early indicators of how parties are doing mid-cycle Democrats heavy of a favorable environment most political experts say In these races because historically the party out of power in the presidency does better than the party running the White House But a win by the Democrats in these respect the governor's races and they are leading in recent polls but they would establish a rebound narrative a comeback if you will from that that convincing defeat at the hands of Donald Trump and Republicans last November when they took the White House in Congress But Republicans conversely the ones that I have spoken to They said they're looking at these states and if they can either hold the gains they've made or in or even win in these blue-leaning states that may carry momentum into 2026 the big midterm cycle that's coming up next year But for both parties Lindsay, these are races these these are races are about testing turnout operations Messaging mobilizing their respective base voter and in outreach to swing voters So those lessons from these from these elections from these races will help inform them and how they run in 2026 it serves as an early roadmap and let's talk about the mayoral race in New York City Why should people be watching that? It's a big one. But why should someone in in Phoenix care about what's happening in New York primarily? It's because Look again, we're in the it's an off-year cycle There's been a lot of attention on the Democratic front-runner Zoran Mamdani who has a double-digit lead In most polls that we have seen he's very progressive a self-described Democratic socialist But he is someone who is has been very effective on social media has been very effective on some key issues Like housing and affordability affordability. They're not just significant in New York, but across the country And so how he well he does here will also maybe help that roadmap that we discussed that next year for Democrats Also, there's been that big divide between moderates and and progressives on which path is the best way for Democrats to win the victories again And so if he does well this could give a boost to that wing of the Democratic Party led by Senator Sanders AOC and Mamdani if he wins, but we're more there's a lot of attention on these four big races Only two weeks to go Lindsay. We'll be watching Finn Gomez. Thanks so much

Colombia’s top court overturned former President Alvaro Uribe’s convictions for fraud and bribery, citing “structural deficiencies” and insufficient evidence. The decision opens the door for further appeals in the high-profile case.

Bogotá

Colombia court quashes former president Uribe’s conviction

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Santo Domingo

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A French government minister insisted the security system at the Louvre was working as it was supposed to when burglars easily made off with $102 million worth of jewels. The Paris prosecutor says 100 investigators are on the case.

Paris

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Vice President JD Vance visited Israel, calling for patience as the fragile ceasefire, in place for 11 days, continues to hold amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

In visit to Israel, Vance urges patience as fragile ceasefire holds

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

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London

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France's Sarkozy begins five-year prison sentence in Paris

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.S. Vice-President Vance visits Israel as Gaza ceasefire falters

Amazon.com cloud service returned to normal operations on Monday (October 20) afternoon, the company said, after an internet outage that caused global turmoil among thousands of sites.

Amazon says AWS cloud service back to normal after outage

Japan's parliament has elected the country's first female leader. Sanae Takaichi, 64, of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is seen as a hardline conservative who supports traditional gender roles and hawkish foreign policy.

Tokyo

Sanae Takaichi elected Japan's first female prime minister

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Washington

Trump doubts Ukraine will win war against Russia

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Ex-FBI director James Comey seeks to toss indictment

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Portland

Appeals court rules Trump can deploy National Guard to Portland

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Washington County

U.S. and Australia boost rare earths supply with new agreement

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La Paz

Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivian presidency

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Beirut

Lebanon orders Hannibal Gadhafi’s release after 10 years

A cargo aircraft skidded off a Hong Kong runway and collided with a security patrol car before both fell into the sea early Monday, killing the two people in the car, authorities said.

Kowloon

Two killed after cargo plane veers off runway in Hong Kong

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‘Priceless’ jewels stolen from France’s Louvre Museum in four-minute heist

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Trump ending aid to Colombia after 'murder' accusation

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Israel, Hamas clash in major test of U.S.-backed ceasefire

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Chicago

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China's second-highest ranking general and eight other senior officials have been expelled from the ruling Communist Party and the military on suspicion of serious misconduct linked to corruption.

Beijing

China expels nine senior officials from Communist Party

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Doha

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Jewels of 'inestimable' value stolen from Louvre in major heist

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Breakdown