Virginia and New Jersey could serve as some of the first bellwethers over voters’ attitudes toward President Trump’s policies, Elon Musk and his slashing of the federal bureaucracy, and the salience of key issues this November.

Voters will head to the polls in both states to elect their next governor and weigh in on important state legislative elections. While there will certainly be local issues at play, the elections will also take place nearly a year into Trump’s second term, during which he, Musk and members of his administration are quickly shaking up Washington.

Meanwhile, a separate election will be playing out in New York City as Mayor Eric Adams, who’s been embroiled in a corruption probe, faces a tough road ahead to reelection.

Here are five storylines to look out for ahead of this November’s elections:

What are the economic impacts of President Trump’s policies?

One issue that will play a deciding factor in this year’s elections will be the economy and inflation, swaying voters to choose one party over the other — fairly or not.

Yet, the Trump administration’s policies will also factor into that equation. Trump has made tariffs a focal point within his economic policy. He’s already imposed a 10 percent tariff against China, which later slapped retaliatory tariffs back on the U.S. as he vows to double it next month.

Trump is also on track to institute a 25 percent tariff against Canada and Mexico over frustrations around drug trafficking and migrants entering the country. Canadian energy imports, however, will only see a 10 percent tariff.

The tariffs have led to concerns that Americans could ultimately bear the brunt of the taxes, with companies passing on those costs to the consumer.

Trump mentioned the potential tariffs of all three countries earlier this month on his Truth Social platform, saying, “Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid.”

Whether the tariffs hit American companies and voters’ pocketbooks,........

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