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Democrat Analilia Mejia wins New Jersey special election for US House over Republican Joe Hathaway

Mejia, a progressive organizer backed by Bernie Sanders, won 68.1% of the vote and will serve out Mikie Sherrill’s unexpired term.

  • On Thursday, the Associated Press projected Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia the winner of New Jersey's 11th Congressional District special election, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway to fill the seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill.
  • The seat became vacant after Sherrill was elected New Jersey governor last year; the 11th District has shifted Democratic since 2024, when then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried it by nearly 9 points.
  • Mejia leveraged a significant financial advantage, raising more than $1 million by March—double the $500,000 Hathaway secured. Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilman, faced national Republican pressure to counter her progressive platform.
  • Her victory narrows the Republican House majority to 218–214, strengthening Democratic influence in closely divided votes. The district's bellwether status signals voter sentiment ahead of November's midterm elections.
  • With a regularly scheduled primary set for June, both candidates are already campaigning for the full two-year term. Mejia and Hathaway could face each other again in November's general election.
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Close to Bernie Sanders, supported by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Latin leader entered Congress after a surprise victory in New Jersey.

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Politico broke the news on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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