Progressive Analilia Mejía wins New Jersey US House special election

Democrat defeats Republican Joe Hathaway on message of standing up to Trump and defending progressive policies

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:52am

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A vibrant, fractured painting of a figure in motion surrounded by overlapping geometric waves of color, conceptually representing the progressive energy and momentum behind Analilia Mejía's special election victory.The progressive energy and momentum behind Analilia Mejía's special election victory is captured in this dynamic, avant-garde painting.Passaic Today

Democrat Analilia Mejía won a New Jersey special election for the U.S. House on Thursday, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway on a message of standing up to President Donald Trump and defending progressive policies. Mejía, a former head of the Working Families Alliance who had support from Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, will fill the seat previously held by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill and serve until January.

Why it matters

Mejía's victory is a win for progressives and means Democrats hold on to the 11th District seat in the House, where Republicans hold a thin majority. It also adds to a string of victories for Democrats heading into this year's midterm elections.

The details

Mejía emerged from a crowded primary in February and cast the race as a test of Trump's leadership. She criticized his pardons of people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes and faulted him for freezing funds authorized by Congress. She campaigned on populist economic policies and pushed to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She has criticized the Israeli government and said she stands with Palestinian communities in their 'pursuit of peace and dignity'.

  • The special election was held on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • Mejía will serve until January, when the winner of the November election for a full two-year term will take office.

The players

Analilia Mejía

A 48-year-old Democrat who previously served as the head of the Working Families Alliance and had support from Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Joe Hathaway

A 38-year-old Republican who tried to use Mejía's progressive credentials to his advantage, as national Republicans cast her as a socialist.

Mikie Sherrill

The previous Democratic representative of the 11th District, who vacated the seat to become the governor of New Jersey.

Donald Trump

The former president whose leadership Mejía criticized during the campaign, including his pardons of people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes and his freezing of funds authorized by Congress.

Bernie Sanders

The Vermont U.S. senator who supported Mejía's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“It is not radical to say that a worker who toils every day cannot make ends meet, that they deserve justice, that they deserve higher wages. That is not radical, that is good conscience. That is a good economy.”

— Analilia Mejía, Congresswoman-elect

“I still believe the district is looking for balanced, pragmatic leadership, not far-left policies.”

— Joe Hathaway, Republican candidate

What’s next

The two candidates, Mejía and Hathaway, could go head-to-head again in November's election for a full two-year term.

The takeaway

Mejía's victory is a significant win for progressives and demonstrates the shifting political landscape in New Jersey's 11th District, which was once a Republican stronghold but has become increasingly Democratic in recent years.