Progressive activist Analilia Mejia will win New Jersey special election over moderate Democrats, AP projects
She's favored to serve the remaining term of now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
Analilia Mejia, a progressive organizer and activist, is set to win the special Democratic primary election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, The Associated Press projected on Thursday -- achieving a stunning upset over a slate of more moderate candidates that included an attempted comeback bid by former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski.
With an estimated 96% of the vote counted as of Thursday afternoon, according to the AP, Mejia led with 29.3% of the vote, followed by Malinowski with 27.6%. She leads by only around 1,000 votes.
Malinowski formally conceded on Tuesday morning, a few days after the election was held last Thursday.
"This isn't a race in which one individual won. This is a race in which community stepped up and said in this moment, what we want are real representatives -- real representatives who will listen to the people, who will ask questions about what is keeping you up at night, who will prioritize your interest over special interests," Mejia told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.
Mejia's projected win among the crowded primary field notches another key victory for progressives just months after democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral election last November. The Cook Political Report rates the district as solidly Democratic, likely meaning Mejia is favored to head to Congress for the rest of former Rep. Mikie Sherrill's unexpired term after April's special general election. Sherrill gave up her seat before her successful run for New Jersey governor.
Mejia will have to win again in New Jersey's regular June 2nd congressional primaries, and then in the November midterms, in order to win a full term in Congress.
Her projected primary victory also comes amidst continued soul-searching among Democrats over whether the party should skews more to the left or more to the center ahead of the looming battle for the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections. Sherrill was considered a moderate.
Mejia worked on the 2020 presidential campaign of Vermont's independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is often seen as a mentor of congressional progressives, and in the Department of Labor during President Joe Biden's administration. She also previously ran the Working Families Party in New Jersey, as well as in various political roles for unions and progressive groups.
Her bid for Congress had the endorsement of progressive stalwarts including Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Mejia faced a crowded Democratic primary field in a race rattled by a plethora of negative spending against Malinowski from outside groups, including millions from the United Democracy Project (UDP) PAC, the fundraising arm affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The group told Punchbowl News that they oppose him now because he supports conditioning aid to Israel. But Mejia, while not campaigning on issues related to Israel, has indicated she believes Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a position to the left of Malinowski.
Patrick Dorton, a spokesperson for the AIPAC-aligned group, defended its actions in the special election, amid criticism from some Democrats that the negative adds against Malinowski helped Mejia, who was the only candidate at a forum in January who said she believed Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
"The outcome in NJ-11 was an anticipated possibility, and our focus remains on who will serve the next full term in Congress. UDP will be closely monitoring dozens of primary races, including the June NJ-11 primary, to help ensure pro-Israel candidates are elected to Congress," he said.
On the Republican side, former Randolph Township Mayor Joe Hathaway was uncontested in the primary and will face Mejia in April's special general election. Hathaway has said he supports Israel and called on Democratic opponents to stand with Israel.
Republicans are framing Mejia as too progressive for the district and for voters.
"Mejia and her radical agenda stand no chance against Joe Hathaway, who is committed to making New Jersey safer and more affordable," National Republican Campaign Committee spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole said in a statement.
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