Major special elections took center stage in California, New York City, and Virginia on November 4. AllSides analyzed how media bias affected coverage.
California’s Proposition 50: How Did Media Bias Affect Coverage?
NOTE: Proposition 50, dubbed the Election Rigging Response Act, seeks to amend California’s constitution to require the temporary use of new congressional district maps starting in 2026 through 2030.
Topline:
Outlets rated Left and Lean Left by AllSides typically framed Proposition 50 as a political victory for California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic Party, and a political loss for President Donald Trump. Center outlets generally maintained similar framing, emphasizing the role of Proposition 50 to embolden the Democratic Party come next year’s midterm elections. Outlets rated Right and Lean Right did not make much mention of the Democratic Party as a whole and instead emphasized how Proposition 50 has emboldened Newsom’s 2028 presidential prospects.
Related: CA Republicans Sue Over Voter-Approved Redistricting, Proposition 50
Coverage Examples:
The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left bias) spun the headline, “Passage of Prop. 50 brightens Newsom’s national prospects while casting a shadow on Trump.” The article emphasized the passing of Proposition 50 as a victory for Newsom, while building the narrative that the proposition was a “searing denunciation of Trump.” The outlet provided extensive coverage on this topic, with the following headlines typically showcasing an anti-Trump framing:
- “California officials push back on Trump claim that Prop. 50 vote is a ‘GIANT SCAM’”
- “California voters pass anti-Trump, pro-Democrat Prop. 50”
Associated Press’ (Left) headline stated, “California voters approve new US House map to boost Democrats in 2026.” The article makes note of the potential for Proposition 50 to “thwart” Trump’s agenda while providing a “political victory for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.”
Reuters (Center) wrote, “Democrats’ hopes for 2026 boosted by critical California vote,” emphasizing the role of California’s special election through its nationwide impact. The outlet mentioned how California’s redistricting move was in direct response to Texas as part of a “nationwide battle over redistricting.” Additionally, the outlet made note of Trump’s role in this “battle,” writing how “Trump has urged state lawmakers in Republican-led legislatures to redraw their congressional maps to maximize House Republicans' ability to maintain control of the chamber…”
Newsweek (Center) published the story, “Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 Passes in Blow to Donald Trump.” The headline framed the impact of Proposition 50 as directly hurting Trump while benefiting Newsom, a perspective reinforced in the body of the article as well. The outlet noted that Gov. Newsom, “threw the weight of his political operation behind it…ahead of a potential 2028 presidential campaign.”
Washington Examiner (Lean Right) ran the slanted headline, “California’s Proposition 50 passes, delivering major political win for Newsom,” emphasizing the role of Proposition 50 as a political victory for Newsom and disregarding the apparent benefit it provides voters who voted for its passage. The outlet claimed that the passing of Prop. 50 has allowed Newsom to “expand his national profile and draw donations from more than 107,000 individual donors.”
Fox News (Right) similarly published a slanted headline on Proposition 50, “California voters pass congressional redistricting proposition in victory for Newsom, Democrats.” The outlet emphasized the passing of the aforementioned legislation as a victory for Newsom, as opposed to a victory for California voters, as left outlets often made note of. Moreover, the outlet mentioned the redistricting efforts of Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana to create more Republican seats in Congress, framing this political victory in California as being far from the end.
New York City Mayoral Election: How did Media Bias Affect Coverage?
Topline:
Outlets rated Left and Lean Left by AllSides typically framed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s electoral victory positively, focusing on the historic nature of the 34-year-old, self-declared socialist’s victory. Center outlets included Mamdani’s statements and highlighted critiques from his political opposition, balancing perspectives. Outlets rated Right and Lean Right were very critical of Mamdani, often emphasizing stories and headlines that elevated concerns over his win, story choice bias.
Coverage Examples:
USA Today (Lean Left) wrote, “America’s mayor? Why people outside of New York should care about Mamdani's victory.” The article made note of the influence Mamdani’s campaign has had on “reenergiz[ing] a moribund Democratic party,” claiming the Republican party will make him their new “boogeyman” as a substantive reason to view Mamdani as the new “mayor of America.”
The New York Times (Lean Left) published the slanted headline, “Mamdani Blazes Trail as New York’s First Muslim and South Asian Mayor-Elect,” by noting Mamdani’s success as “blazing” a trail for future politicians. The outlet often framed any inexperience brought by age as largely inconsequential.
BBC News (Center) published the positive headline, “‘Mandate for change’: Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election,” for Mamdani. However, the article’s body balanced the story, noting the Trump administration’s criticism of Mamdani, labeling him a “communist.” It gave voice to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said, “Zohran Mamdani’s election cements the Democrat Party's transformation to a radical, big-government socialist party.”
Forbes’s (Center) headline stated, “Billionaires React To Mamdani’s Win: ‘You Have A Big Responsibility’” The outlet emphasized the reactions of billionaires across party lines, noting common concerns for businesses. The article further quoted Mamdani’s victory speech, noting his statements against the wealthy – “Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to redefine reality and to convince our neighbors that this new age is something that should frighten them” – potentially slanting the narrative.
Fox News (Right) wrote, “Mamdani victory speech draws concern as NYC mayor-elect vows ‘no problem too large for government to solve’.” The article presented criticisms at its forefront and noted how these comments may be deemed ‘terrifying.’
The New York Post (Lean Right) dedicated a significant portion of its coverage to Mamdani’s win, including its controversial newspaper cover following his victory. The headline, “NYC Jewish groups vow to hold ‘hostile’ Zohran Mamdani accountable: ‘Normalization of antisemitism just got very loud,’” frames Mamdani’s win as potentially harmful to select groups. New York Post ran several headlines criticizing Mamdani prior to his electoral victory, including:
Virginia Special Election: How did Media Bias Affect Coverage?
Note: Virginia’s Attorney General-elect, Jay Jones, faced controversy before the election over text messages he sent in 2022 about then-Virginia House speaker, Todd Gilbert. The texts included the following statements (typos corrected):
- Jay Jones: “Three people, two bullets – Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot – Gilbert gets two bullets to the head”
- Carrie Coyner: “Jay. Please stop.”
- Carrie Coyner: “You were talking about [hoping] [J]ennifer Gilbert’s children would die”
- Jay Jones: “Yes, I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy”
Topline:
Outlets rated Left and Lean Left by AllSides typically made note of Virginia’s Attorney General-elect, Jay Jones’, controversy and shifted the focus to the logistics behind his win as a black man, and the criticisms of his opponent, Jason Miyares. Center outlets provided a wider picture of the electoral races in Virginia, making note of Jones’ controversy more sparingly, and noting his’ apology and confrontation with critics. Right and Lean Right outlets displayed significant bias when discussing Jones’ controversy, with a strong negativity bias and sensationalism toward his victory.
Coverage Examples:
HuffPost (Left) wrote, “Despite Scandal, Democrat Triumphs In Virginia Attorney General Race.” The article reasoned that despite the controversy… the “animus against President Donald Trump can lift even highly damaged candidates.”
Axios (Lean Left) published the headline, “Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal.” Axios mostly focused on the historical backdrop behind Jones’ victory as the first black Attorney General-elect of Virginia, foregoing similarly extensive coverage of Jones’ controversy, bias by omission.
The Hill (Center) emphasized the Democratic wins across Virginia, writing “Democrats sweep in Virginia: 5 takeaways.” The article noted that the economic backdrop and ties to Trump among Republican candidates were largely responsible for the Democrats’ electoral victories in Virginia, writing “Virginia’s races were largely considered referendums on Trump’s second term in office, putting Republicans at a disadvantage.”
Newsweek (Center) published the sensational headline, “Democrat Jay Jones Wins Despite Texts Fantasizing About Killing Opponent.” The outlet noted that concerns over splitting ballot votes to avoid voting for Jones due to his controversy were largely “not enough to swing the race.” The article balanced perspectives by noting Jones’ controversial campaign leading up to the election, while including his rebuttal to the controversy: “‘What about when Donald Trump used incendiary language to incite a riot to try to overturn an election here in this country?’ Jones asked. ‘You haven’t said a word. I’ve taken accountability for my mistakes. It’s time you take accountability, too.’”
Blaze Media (Right) wrote, “Democrat who sent death-wish texts wins top law enforcement office in Virginia.” The outlet specifically emphasized the threats to the Republican candidate’s children while highlighting a Fox News poll that found “46% of Virginia voters said the texts were disqualifying” slanting the narrative away from Jay Jones’ win.
The Federalist (Right) displayed mudslinging in its headline, “The Assassination Left Elects Their Champion In Virginia,” through the framing of the political Left as “assassin[s].” The article’s subheading sensationalized the story, noting “Your Democrat friends might be friendly to you, but they just voted for a guy who wants you and your family dead.” The Federalist also made unsubstantiated claims, writing “What is unclear is what it might take to trigger Jones’ violent tendencies while in office, or how he intends to use his power to punish his political opponents, from elected officials to those who simply did not vote for him” and used subjective qualifying adjectives to shift negative perspectives onto Jay Jones. Additionally, The Federalist published several mudslinging and sensationalist pieces prior to the election on Jay Jones:
- “Jay Jones’ ‘Community Service’ Scandal Is Worse Than You Think”
- “Virginia Democrat Voters Side With Assassination Fetishist Jay Jones: ‘Gotta Fight Hardball’”
Emanuel Macuixtle is a Policy Analyst and Research Assistant at AllSides. He has a Left bias.
This blog was edited and reviewed by Andy Gorel, News and Social Media Editor (Center) and Malayna Bizier, News Analyst and Social Media Editor (Right).
