Analilia Mejia Advances to New Jersey Special General Election After Rival Concedes
Key Facts
- Analilia Mejia won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District after Tom Malinowski conceded on Tuesday.
- Malinowski was targeted by more than $2 million in advertisements from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with AIPAC.
- The advertisements focused on Malinowski’s 2019 vote providing funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Mejia was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Mejia will face Republican Randolph Township Councilman Joe Hathaway in the special general election on April 16.
- The district voted for the Democratic presidential ticket in 2024 by a margin of between eight and nine percentage points.
Progressive organizer Analilia Mejia will advance to the April 16 special general election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District after former Representative Tom Malinowski conceded on Tuesday. Mejia, a former national political director for Senator Bernie Sanders, held a lead of more than 800 votes when Malinowski ended his campaign. The victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party follows a primary contest to fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill.
Historical Context
The special primary was triggered by the resignation of Mikie Sherrill, a moderate Democrat who represented the district from 2018 until her election as Governor of New Jersey in November 2025. The race served as an early indicator of internal party divisions between progressive and moderate factions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: The Hill · Politico · CNN · Fox News
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