Race for the 11th Congressional District: Malinowski vs. Mejia in a Tight Democratic Primary
The special House Democratic primary in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, triggered by Mikie Sherrill's election as governor, remains undecided between former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski and Analilia Mejia, a former political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders. Malinowski initially held a lead based on mail-in ballots but Mejia closed the gap as votes from election day were counted. The race is too close to call, with both candidates vying for the nomination to face Republican Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway in the April 16 general election.
Malinowski, who previously served two terms in the House, garnered support from New Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim and progressive groups. Mejia, endorsed by Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, brings experience from her role in Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign and as deputy director of the women's bureau in President Joe Biden's Labor Department. The other candidates in the primary included Brendan Gill, Tahesha Way, and several others.
The district encompasses parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, including affluent suburbs of New York City. The winner of the special election will complete Sherrill's term until January, with a regular primary in June and general election in November for the next two-year term. Sherrill, a Democrat, represented the historically Republican-leaning district for four terms starting in 2018, signaling a shift in political dynamics during President Donald Trump's tenure. The outcome of the primary will shape the future representation of the district in Congress.