Voters in New Jersey's 11th District Face Choice Between Radical and Moderate

Early voting underway as district residents decide between Democratic Socialist Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of deep blue, bright red, and golden yellow, conveying the high-energy and divisive nature of the special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.The heated special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District reflects the nation's deep political divisions as voters choose between a progressive socialist and a moderate Republican.Newark Today

With Mikie Sherrill's election as New Jersey governor, her seat in Congress was vacated, necessitating a special election in the state's 11th Congressional District. Early voting is now underway as residents of the solidly blue district, which covers parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, decide between Democratic Socialist Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway.

Why it matters

The race has become increasingly bitter, with Hathaway labeling Mejia an 'antisemitic socialist' and Mejia calling Hathaway a liar while criticizing his support for the president's mass deportation plans. The outcome will have significant implications for the political direction of the district, as Mejia is firmly in the 'far left' camp while Hathaway is largely seen as a political moderate.

The details

Mejia, who is endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is running on a progressive platform, while Hathaway, the former mayor of Randolph, is trying to distance himself from being a 'rubber stamp' for Trump while supporting measures like the SAVE Act for voter photo ID. An independent candidate, Alan Bond, is also on the ballot.

  • Early voting is underway and will continue through April 14 (Tuesday).
  • Election Day is Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Analilia Mejia

Democratic Socialist candidate endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Joe Hathaway

Republican candidate and former mayor of Randolph, seen as a political moderate.

Alan Bond

Independent candidate also on the ballot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My point here was to show that we are going into this election united as Democrats, that we are going into this election knowing that our issues are not only of importance to people, that our perspective is on the right track, and that has nothing to do, honestly, with Joe Hathaway's attacks.”

— Analilia Mejia

“They have an opportunity, a pretty unique one, to say, 'I'm going to vote for this guy because either I'm really concerned about what his opponent has to say,' or 'I like what he has to say, and I'm going to have the chance to hold him to account for what he says he's going to do from now until November.'”

— Joe Hathaway

What’s next

Regardless of Thursday's outcome, both Mejia and Hathaway will face each other again in June for the full two-year term.

The takeaway

This race highlights the stark ideological divide within the Democratic party, as voters in New Jersey's 11th District must choose between a progressive, socialist-aligned candidate in Mejia and a more moderate Republican in Hathaway. The outcome will have significant implications for the district's political direction.