Eleven Democrats are competing in a special primary election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. The primary winner will advance to face Republican Randolph Township Mayor Joe Hathaway in the special general election in April. The seat became vacant after Mikie Sherrill resigned following her victory in the state's gubernatorial election last November. This primary is an early indicator of issues resonating with Democratic voters.
Key Candidates
Analilia Mejia
Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, Mejia has received endorsements from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. She advocates for the abolition of ICE.
"You can't reform that. It's not fixable. Get it out. Kick it over. It is done. Forget it."
Tom Malinowski
A former congressman who represented a neighboring district for two terms, Malinowski is endorsed by New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim. Kim highlighted Malinowski's experience:
"Tom Malinowski knows the House of Representatives. He knows Congress. He knows New Jersey. He knows how to be able to stand up to Donald Trump, and that's what I need right now is someone there as a partner with me in the Capitol."
Malinowski lost his previous seat in 2022 after redistricting made his district more Republican. Name recognition and experience are considered important factors in this special election.
Other Candidates
Other candidates include former Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, venture capitalist Zach Beecher, attorney and comedian J-L Cauvin, former Obama administration staffer Cammie Croft, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel, Chatham Borough Council member Justin Strickland, and community advocate Anna Lee Williams.
Central Issues
Immigration
Following recent events involving federal agents, immigration enforcement has become a prominent issue. Democratic candidates hold varying views on the future of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ranging from limiting its powers to outright abolition.
For example, Tahesha Way indicated she would "be open to defund it," and Zach Beecher stated he would be a champion of:
"getting rid of ICE."
Affordability
This remains a significant concern for residents, consistent with former Representative Sherrill's gubernatorial campaign focus on New Jersey's high cost of living.
Regional Implications
The district includes residents who commute to New York. The winner of the general election will immediately face the challenge of securing funding for the Gateway tunnel project. This $16 billion project involves constructing a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and Manhattan, and rehabilitating the existing North River Tunnel.
Billions of federal dollars for the project were frozen by the Trump administration in October, leading to a lawsuit. The project was a major priority for Mikie Sherrill during her tenure in Congress. The district, which Sherrill flipped from Republican to Democratic in 2018, has become more Democratic following 2022 redistricting.