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Passaic Today
By the People, for the People
Progressive Analilia Mejía Wins New Jersey US House Special Election
Mejía's victory gives Democrats another seat in the House, where Republicans hold a slim majority.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:38am
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Mejía's special election victory signals a continued shift in New Jersey's political landscape.Passaic TodayDemocrat Analilia Mejía, 48, won a special election for a U.S. House seat in New Jersey's 11th District on Thursday, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejía, a former head of the Working Families Alliance who had support from Senator Bernie Sanders, will fill the seat previously held by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill and serve until January. Her 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.
Why it matters
Mejía's win adds to a string of victories for Democrats heading into this year's midterm elections. The 11th District, which covers parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey's wealthy suburbs, was long a Republican stronghold but has become increasingly Democratic since Trump's first term. Mejía's victory is seen as a test of Trump's influence and a sign that progressive policies continue to resonate with voters.
The details
Mejía campaigned on populist economic policies and pushing to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She has also criticized the Israeli government and said she stands with Palestinian communities in their 'pursuit of peace and dignity.' Republicans criticized her throughout the campaign as too far to the left, but she pushed back, calling for better health care and education and attacking billionaires for having a 'stranglehold' on the economy.
- The special election was held on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
- Mejía will serve in the House until January.
The players
Analilia Mejía
A 48-year-old Democrat who won the special election for the U.S. House seat in New Jersey's 11th District. She is a former head of the Working Families Alliance and had the support of Senator Bernie Sanders.
Joe Hathaway
The 38-year-old Republican who ran against Mejía in the special election. He is a former Yale University football player who has worked in healthcare and finance as well as in politics as an aide for former GOP Gov. Chris Christie.
Mikie Sherrill
The Democratic former U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th District, who left the seat to become the state's governor.
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
“They want borders wide open. They don't want to enforce existing immigration laws.”
— Rob Berkowitz, Conservative voter
What’s next
Mejía and Hathaway could face off again in November's election for a full two-year term.
The takeaway
Mejía's victory in the special election is seen as a win for progressives and a test of Trump's influence, as Democrats continue to make gains in traditionally Republican strongholds like New Jersey's 11th District.
