Voters in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District will choose Thursday between progressive activist Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway to fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill, in a special election that could signal Democratic strength or Republican gains under President Trump.
Mejia, 48, won a crowded Democratic primary in February that included former Representative Tom Malinowski, former Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill. Hathaway, 38, a Randolph Township councilman, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. The contest tilts decidedly Democratic. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won the district by 9 points in 2024, while Sherrill defeated her Republican opponent by 15 points that same year and carried the district by an equal margin in her gubernatorial victory last November.
Mejia has built her campaign on challenging Trump, imposing taxes on billionaires and corporations, and pushing for universal health care and child care. She secured endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. However, she struggled to earn backing from local party organizations, a historically significant factor in New Jersey races. Mejia raised just over $1 million through late March, with more than half coming from donations under $200 and additional support from unions and progressive groups.
Hathaway has largely sidestepped Trump in his messaging, telling a debate audience in early April that he would not be a rubber stamp for the president. His campaign emphasizes reducing federal government size to address affordability concerns. He raised $500,000 by late March, with roughly 70 percent coming from donations of $1,000 or more.
A mystery super PAC called American Centerpoint injected $183,000 into the final stretch, funding digital ads and mailers opposing Mejia while supporting Hathaway. One advertisement attempted to tie Mejia to New York City's mayor, characterizing her as part of a socialist movement and citing crime, cold-related deaths, and tax increases in the city. The group says it backs candidates who reject extremism and oppose antisemitism, but campaign finance rules allowed it to shield its donors from public view before Election Day.
The race arrives as Democrats post gains in special House elections since Trump's return to office. In six elections held since early 2025, Democrats have improved their standing by 13 to 25 points compared with 2024 presidential results. Their largest swing came last week in Georgia's 14th District, where they closed a 37-point Trump advantage to lose by 12 points.
The special election winner will serve the remainder of Sherrill's term through 2025. A regularly scheduled primary in June will determine who runs for the full term. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "A Democratic stronghold testing whether the party can hold ground in special elections, or whether Trump's momentum is real."
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