2026 New Jersey's 11th congressional district special election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 New Jersey's 11th congressional district special election was held on April 16, 2026, to fill the vacant seat in New Jersey's 11th congressional district. The winner will serve in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 119th United States Congress.[1]
_(cropped).jpg)
 | |||||||||||||||||
April 16, 2026
| |||||||||||||||||
New Jersey's 11th congressional district | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
_Updated.svg)
Meija: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Hathaway: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Tie: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The seat became vacant on November 20, 2025, when Mikie Sherrill resigned to become the governor of New Jersey. Outgoing governor Phil Murphy announced the special election scheduled for April 16, 2026.[2] Early voting took place from April 6 to April 14. Voters had the option to cast their votes by mail.[3]
Primary elections were held on February 5, 2026. Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, won the Democratic nomination. Randolph councilman and former mayor Joe Hathaway won the Republican nomination uncontested.[4][5] Mejia would then go on to win the special election; her win was the best Democratic performance since 1982, the last time a Democrat won the district before 2018.[6]
Democratic Primary
Campaign
Spending by AIPAC against former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski became a major issue in the primary. Although Malinowski identified as a pro-Israel Democrat, the group funded negative advertising after he declined to unconditionally support foreign military aid.[7] The ads may have inadvertently boosted eventual nominee Analilia Mejia, who has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.[8][9] Following his defeat, Malinowski sharply criticized AIPAC, calling its campaign "dishonest" and pledging to oppose any AIPAC-backed challenger to Mejia in the June primary for the full term.[10]
Mejia has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has advocated resistance to what she describes as "rising authoritarianism".[11]
The Associated Press and The New York Times called the race for Mejia on February 12, 2026, defeating Malinowski and former Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way.[12][13]
Candidates
Nominee
- Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy[14]
Eliminated in Primary
- John Bartlett, Passaic County commissioner and candidate for this district in 2018[15]
- Zach Beecher, venture capitalist[16]
- J-L Cauvin, attorney and comedian[17]
- Cammie Croft, nonprofit executive and former White House deputy new media director[18]
- Brendan Gill, at-large Essex County commissioner, husband of state assemblymember Alixon Collazos-Gill, and candidate for New Jersey's 27th assembly district in 2023[19]
- Jeff Grayzel, deputy mayor of Morris Township and nominee for New Jersey's 25th senate district in 2021[18]
- Tom Malinowski, former chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Party (2024–2025) and former U.S. representative from the 7th district (2019–2023)[20]
- Justin Strickland, Chatham Borough councilmember[21]
- Tahesha Way, former lieutenant governor (2023–2026) and secretary of state of New Jersey (2018–2026)[22]
- Anna Lee Williams, corporate social responsibility manager[23]
Withdrawn
Disqualified
- Donald Cresitello, former mayor of Morristown (1977–1981, 2006–2010) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1982 and 2008[26]
Did not file
- Kennedy Pivnick, former legal intern at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission[27]
Declined
- Matthew Platkin, attorney general of New Jersey (2022–2026)[28]
Endorsements
John Bartlett
- Local officials
- James Damiano, mayor of Little Falls (2017–present)[29]
- Labor unions
- Port Authority Police Benevolent Association[30]
- Party branches
- Little Falls Democratic Committee[31]
- Passaic County Democratic Committee (co-endorsement with Way)[32]
Zach Beecher
- U.S. senators
- Bob Kerrey, Nebraska (1989–2001)[33]
- Individuals
- Paul Eaton, former deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command[34]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Brendan Gill
- Executive branch officials
- Jeh Johnson, former U.S. secretary of homeland security (2013–2017)[38]
- Megan Coyne, former White House Deputy Director of Platforms (2022–2025)[39]
- U.S. representatives
- Steve Rothman, former NJ-09 (1997–2013)[40]
- Statewide officials
- Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey (2018–2026)[41]
- State legislators
- Renee Burgess, state senator from the 28th district (2022–present)[42]
- Alixon Collazos-Gill, state assemblymember from the 27th district (2024–present) (candidate's wife)[42]
- Thomas Giblin, former state assemblymember from the 34th district (2006–2024)[43]
- John McKeon, state senator from the 27th district (2024–present)[42]
- Carmen Morales, state assemblymember from the 34th district (2024–present)[42]
- Jessica Ramirez, former state assemblymember from the 32nd district (2024–2026)[39]
- Teresa Ruiz, majority leader of the New Jersey Senate (2022–present) from the 29th district (2008–present)[44]
- Shavonda Sumter, former state assemblymember from the 35th district (2012–2026)[42]
- Britnee Timberlake, state senator from the 34th district (2024–present)[42]
- Michael Venezia, state assemblymember from the 34th district (2024–present)[42]
- William D. Payne, former state assemblymember from the 29th district (1998–2008)[45]
- Jackie Yustein, former state assemblymember from the 28th district (2023–2024)[42]
- Local officials
- Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Essex County Executive (2003–present)[46]
- Jim Johnson, former Corporation Counsel of New York City (2019–2021)[47]
- Thomas Sullivan, Bergen County Commissioner (2015–present)[48]
- Dean Dafis, Maplewood Township committeeman and former candidate for this seat[25]
- 5 Essex County Commissioners[42]
- 13 mayors[42][25][49]
- Party officials
- LeRoy Jones, chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee (2021–present) and chair of the Essex County Democratic Committee[50]
- 12 Democratic municipal chairs[a][42][50]
- Individuals
- Evie Colbert, president of Montclair Film and wife of Stephen Colbert[39]
- Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen's Association (2011–present)[51]
- Party branches
- Essex County Democratic Committee[52]
- Labor unions
- Amalgamated Transit Union New Jersey State Council[53]
- American Federation of Government Employees Local 913[54]
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen New Jersey State Legislative Board[55]
- Communications Workers of America Local 1031[56]
- Essex-West Hudson Labor Council[43]
- Hotel and Gaming Trades Council[57]
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 25[58]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 164 and 1158[48][54]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters[50]
- Teamsters Joint Council 73[50]
- International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 196[59]
- International Longshoremen's Association[51]
- Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 108[60]
- United Food and Commercial Workers[61]
Tom Malinowski
- Executive branch officials
- Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel (2011–2017)[62]
- U.S. senators
- Andy Kim, New Jersey (2024–present)[63]
- U.S. representatives
- Jason Crow, CO-06 (2019–present)[64]
- Jamie Raskin, MD-08 (2017–present)[65]
- Local officials
- Sheena Collum, mayor of South Orange, New Jersey (2015–present)[66]
- Carolyn Dempsey, mayor of Chatham Borough (2024–present)[67]
- Individuals
- Julie Roginsky, founder of Lift Our Voices[68]
- Party branches
- Morris County Democratic Committee[69]
- Labor unions
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division[30]
- Organizations
Analilia Mejia
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[14]
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[71]
- U.S. representatives
- Greg Casar, TX-35 (2023–present)[72]
- Adriano Espaillat, NY-13 (2017–present)[73]
- Maxwell Frost, FL-10 (2023–present)[74]
- Chuy García, IL-04 (2019–present)[72]
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present)[74]
- Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[75]
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14 (2019–present)[76]
- Ayanna Pressley, MA-07 (2019–present)[72]
- Delia Ramirez, IL-03 (2023–present)[72]
- Statewide officials
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present)[77]
- State legislators
- Loretta Weinberg, former majority leader of the New Jersey Senate (2012–2022) from the 37th district (2005–2022)[72]
- Local officials
- Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark (2014–present)[78]
- Brad Lander, former New York City Comptroller (2022–2025)[79]
- Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President (2022–present)[80]
- Individuals
- Marc Chaaban, former congressional staffer and former candidate for this seat[24]
- Political parties
- Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East[82]
- Communications Workers of America District 1 and Local 1037[59][83]
- Rutgers AAUP–AFT[59]
- Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union[59]
- SEIU 32BJ[84]
- SEIU New Jersey State Council[85]
- Organizations
- College Democrats of New Jersey[86]
- Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC[74]
- Latino Victory[87]
- Make the Road Action New Jersey[88]
- National Korean American Service & Education Consortium Action Fund New Jersey[89]
- NJ Citizen Action[88]
- Our Revolution[90]
- Popular Democracy in Action[91] (candidate's employer)
- Progressive Change Campaign Committee[92]
- Progressive Victory[93]
- Showing Up for Racial Justice[94]
- Track AIPAC[95]
Tahesha Way
- U.S. representatives
- Gregory Meeks, NY-05 (1998–present)[96]
- Statewide officials
- Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Secretary of State of Vermont (2023–present)[97]
- Kyle Evans Gay, lieutenant governor of Delaware (2025–present)[22]
- Regena Thomas, former Secretary of State of New Jersey (2002–2006)[98]
- Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State of Connecticut (2023–present)[98]
- State legislators
- Linda S. Carter, state assemblywoman from the 22nd district (2018–present)[98]
- Cleopatra Tucker, state assemblywoman from the 28th district (2008–present)[98]
- Individuals
- Leslie Maxie, former track and field athlete[97]
- Party branches
- Passaic County Democratic Committee (co-endorsement with Bartlett)[32]
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Statewide officials
- Mikie Sherrill, governor of New Jersey (2026–present) and former Representative from this district (2019–2025)[100]
County conventions
County convention results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brendan Gill | 132 | 51.5% | |
| Democratic | No Endorsement (Abstained) | 90 | 35.2% | |
| Democratic | Tom Malinowski | 17 | 6.6% | |
| Democratic | John Bartlett | 6 | 2.3% | |
| Democratic | Dean Dafis | 4 | 1.6% | |
| Democratic | Analilia Mejia | 3 | 1.2% | |
| Democratic | Tahesha Way | 3 | 1.2% | |
| Democratic | Marc Chaaban | 1 | 0.4% | |
| Democratic | Zach Beecher | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Democratic | J-L Cauvin | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Democratic | Cammie Croft | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Democratic | Justin Strickland | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Democratic | Anna Lee Williams | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Total votes | 256 | 100.0% | ||
| Morris County Democratic convention[101] | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | First ballot | Second ballot | Third ballot | Fourth ballot | Fifth ballot | Sixth ballot | Seventh ballot | Eighth ballot | Ninth ballot | ||||||||||
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
| Tom Malinowski | 188 | 40.8% | 189 | 41.0% | 192 | 41.8% | 195 | 42.5% | 199 | 43.4% | 205 | 44.7% | 217 | 47.4% | 220 | 49.1% | 235 | 52.7% | |
| Brendan Gill | 110 | 23.9% | 110 | 23.9% | 110 | 24.0% | 110 | 24.0% | 110 | 24.0% | 111 | 24.2% | 117 | 25.6% | 117 | 26.1% | 131 | 29.4% | |
| Analilia Mejia | 36 | 7.8% | 36 | 7.8% | 36 | 7.8% | 36 | 7.8% | 44 | 9.6% | 47 | 10.2% | 48 | 10.5% | 62 | 13.8% | 80 | 17.9% | |
| Tahesha Way | 28 | 6.1% | 28 | 6.1% | 28 | 6.1% | 29 | 6.3% | 31 | 6.8% | 36 | 7.8% | 41 | 9.0% | 49 | 10.9% | Eliminated | ||
| Justin Strickland | 31 | 6.7% | 31 | 6.7% | 31 | 6.8% | 31 | 6.8% | 32 | 7.0% | 34 | 7.4% | 35 | 7.6% | Eliminated | ||||
| John Bartlett | 22 | 4.8% | 23 | 5.0% | 24 | 5.2% | 25 | 5.5% | 25 | 5.5% | 26 | 5.7% | Eliminated | ||||||
| Zach Beecher | 13 | 2.8% | 15 | 3.3% | 15 | 3.3% | 17 | 3.7% | 18 | 3.9% | Eliminated | ||||||||
| Anna Lee Williams | 8 | 1.7% | 8 | 1.7% | 8 | 1.7% | 8 | 1.7% | Eliminated | ||||||||||
| Cammie Croft | 7 | 1.5% | 8 | 1.7% | 8 | 1.7% | 8 | 1.7% | Eliminated | ||||||||||
| Dean Dafis | 7 | 1.5% | 7 | 1.5% | 7 | 1.5% | Eliminated | ||||||||||||
| Jeff Grayzel | 6 | 1.3% | 6 | 1.3% | Eliminated | ||||||||||||||
| J-L Cauvin | 5 | 1.1% | Eliminated | ||||||||||||||||
| Total ballots[b] | 461 ballots | 459 ballots | 458 ballots | 448 ballots | 446 ballots | ||||||||||||||
Gill
Malinowski
Co-endorsement of Bartlett and Way
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 16, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| John Bartlett (D) | $465,705[c] | $394,510 | $260,855 |
| Zach Beecher (D) | $504,638 | $293,417 | $211,221 |
| J-L Cauvin (D) | $100,000 | $30,896 | $69,103 |
| Cammie Croft (D) | $372,317 | $239,229 | $133,088 |
| Brendan Gill (D) | $808,103[d] | $460,108 | $347,995 |
| Jeff Grayzel (D) | $428,173 | $351,604 | $76,569 |
| Tom Malinowski (D) | $1,161,127 | $756,929 | $404,197 |
| Analilia Mejia (D) | $420,218 | $62,097 | $358,120 |
| Justin Strickland (D) | $70,012 | $67,836 | $2,175 |
| Tahesha Way (D) | $404,541 | $319,178 | $85,363 |
| Anna Lee Williams (D) | $26,422 | $18,249 | $8,172 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[102] | |||
Polling
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Analilia Mejia | 19,789 | 29.33 | |
| Democratic | Tom Malinowski | 18,603 | 27.57 | |
| Democratic | Tahesha Way | 11,737 | 17.40 | |
| Democratic | Brendan Gill | 9,556 | 14.16 | |
| Democratic | John Bartlett | 1,825 | 2.71 | |
| Democratic | Justin Strickland | 1,391 | 2.06 | |
| Democratic | Jeff Grayzel | 1,311 | 1.94 | |
| Democratic | Zach Beecher | 1,310 | 1.94 | |
| Democratic | Cammie Croft | 719 | 1.07 | |
| Democratic | Anna Lee Williams | 528 | 0.78 | |
| Democratic | J-L Cauvin | 293 | 0.43 | |
| Democratic | Dean Dafis (withdrawn) | 280 | 0.42 | |
| Democratic | Marc Chaaban (withdrawn) | 123 | 0.18 | |
| Total votes | 67,465 | 100.00 | ||
Mejia
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
Malinowski
- 30–40%
Mejia
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Malinowski
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
Way
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
Gill
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Endorsements
Joe Hathaway
- U.S. representatives
- Thomas Kean Jr., NJ-07 (2023–present)[106]
- State legislators
- Brian Bergen, state assemblymember from the 26th district (2020–present)[107]
- Al Barlas, state assemblymember from the 40th district (2024–present)[108]
- Christopher DePhillips, state assemblymember from the 40th district (2018–present)[108]
- Aura Dunn, state assemblymember from the 25th district (2019–present)[108]
- Mike Inganamort, state assemblymember from the 24th district (2024–present)[108]
- Dawn Fantasia, state assemblymember from the 24th district (2024–present)[108]
- Anthony Bucco, minority leader of the New Jersey Senate (2023–present) from the 25th district (2019–present)[108]
- Joseph Pennacchio, minority whip of the New Jersey Senate (2017–present) from the 26th district (2008–present)[108]
- Kristin Corrado, state senator from the 40th district (2017–present)[108]
- Local officials
- Jim Gannon, sheriff of Morris County (2017–present) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2025[108]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 16, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Joe Hathaway (R) | $260,813 | $98,933 | $161,879 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[102] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Hathaway | 14,616 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 14,616 | 100.00 | ||
Third parties and independents
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[110] | Safe D | December 14, 2025 |
Post-primary endorsements
Analilia Mejia (D)
- U.S. senators
- Cory Booker, New Jersey (2013–present)[111]
- Andy Kim, New Jersey (2024–present)[111]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Malinowski, former NJ-07 (2019–2023) and former candidate for this seat[112]
- Rob Menendez, NJ-08 (2023–present)[113]
- LaMonica McIver, NJ-10 (2024–present)[113]
- Bonnie Watson Coleman, NJ-12 (2015–present)[113]
- Donald Norcross, NJ-01 (2014–present)[114]
- Herb Conaway, NJ-03 (2025–present)[114]
- Frank Pallone, NJ-06 (1988–present)[114]
- Nellie Pou, NJ-09 (2025–present)[114]
- Jamie Raskin, MD-08 (2017–present)[115]
- Linda Sánchez, CA-38 (2003–present)[116]
- Statewide officials
- Mikie Sherrill, governor of New Jersey (2026–present) and former NJ-11 (2019–2025)[117]
- Local officials
- Brendan Gill, Essex County commissioner and former candidate for this seat[118]
- Mayors of 10 New Jersey municipalities[119]
- Party officials
- LeRoy Jones, chair of the New Jersey Democratic Party (2021–present)[120]
- Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee (2025–present)[121]
- Party branches
- Essex County Democratic Committee[122]
- Morris County Democratic Committee[123]
- Passaic County Democratic Committee[124]
- Labor unions
- Amalgamated Transit Union New Jersey State Council[125]
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 63[126]
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters[127]
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers New Jersey Council[128]
- National Nurses United[129]
- New Jersey AFL-CIO[130]
- New Jersey Education Association[131]
- Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union[132]
- Teamsters Joint Council 73[132]
- Organizations
- BOLD PAC[116]
- Center for Biological Diversity[133]
- Climate Hawks Vote[133]
- Council on American–Islamic Relations Action Fund[134]
- Dear White Staffers[135]
- EMILYs List[136]
- End Citizens United[137]
- Food & Water Action[133]
- Garden State Equality Action Fund[138]
- GrayPac[133]
- Hudson Moms Demand Action[139]
- J Street PAC[140]
- New York Communities for Change[141]
- Patriotic Millionaires[142]
- Peace Action[143]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[144]
- Progressive Democrats of America[145]
- UnidosUS Action Fund[146]
Joe Hathaway (R)
- Statewide officials
- Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey (2010–2018)[147]
- Party officials
- Christine Hanlon, chairwoman of the New Jersey Republican Party (2026–present)[148]
- Party branches
- Morris County Republican Organization[149]
- Passaic County Republican Party[150]
- Newspapers
Debates and forums
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key:
P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn |
||||||
| Mejia | Hathaway | |||||
| 1[152] | April 1, 2026 | New Jersey Globe The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University |
Joey Fox | YouTube C-SPAN |
P | P |
Polling
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Analilia Mejia | 81,825 | 60.18 | ||
| Republican | Joe Hathaway | 53,520 | 39.36 | ||
| Hope For Tomorrow![g] | Alan Bond | 625 | 0.46 | ||
| Total votes | 135,970 | 100.00 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
By county
| County | Analilia Mejia Democratic |
Joe Hathaway Republican |
Alan Bond Independent |
Margin | Total votes cast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Essex (part) | 35,496 | 71.41% | 13,936 | 28.04% | 275 | 0.55% | 21,560 | 43.37% | 49,707 |
| Morris (part) | 40,547 | 54.29% | 33,843 | 45.31% | 295 | 0.39% | 6,704 | 8.98% | 74,685 |
| Passaic (part) | 5,782 | 49.94% | 5,741 | 49.59% | 55 | 0.48% | 41 | 0.35% | 11,578 |
| Totals | 81,825 | 60.18% | 53,520 | 39.36% | 625 | 0.46% | 28,305 | 20.82% | 135,970 |
See also
Notes
- 2 delegates abstained
- $100,000 of this total was self-funded by Bartlett
- $150,000 of this total was self-funded by Gill
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - "Other" with 14%; Bartlett and Grayzel with 2%; Beecher with 1%
- Not an actual political party. In New Jersey, independent candidates are allowed to choose a ballot label
- Partisan clients