Progressive Ally of Bernie Sanders Wins New Jersey House Primary

Analilia Mejia defeats former Rep. Tom Malinowski in crowded Democratic race

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Analilia Mejia, a longtime progressive organizer allied with Sen. Bernie Sanders, has emerged victorious in a crowded Democratic primary in the special election to fill the U.S. House seat formerly held by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Mejia, 48, overcame former Rep. Tom Malinowski and about a dozen other candidates in New Jersey's 11th District.

Why it matters

The progressive victory shows the evolution of New Jersey's 11th District, which was reliably Republican until President Donald Trump's first term, when Sherrill won as part of a Democratic wave in 2018. Now, primary voters chose Mejia, who campaigned on populist economic policies and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, over a more moderate replacement for Sherrill.

The details

Mejia, a former director of the Working Families Alliance in New Jersey, was a regular presence in the state capitol, advocating for progressive causes. She served as Sanders' political director during his 2020 presidential run, and she was the deputy director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau under President Joe Biden. In addition to Sanders, she was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

  • The special general election will be held on April 16, 2026.
  • There will also be a regular primary on June 2, 2026 and a general election on November 3, 2026 for the new term.

The players

Analilia Mejia

A longtime progressive organizer allied with Sen. Bernie Sanders who won the crowded Democratic primary in the special election to fill the U.S. House seat formerly held by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Tom Malinowski

A former U.S. Representative who was defeated by Mejia in the Democratic primary.

Mikie Sherrill

The former U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th District, who is now the Governor of New Jersey.

Joe Hathaway

The Republican candidate in the April 16 special general election.

Bernie Sanders

The U.S. Senator from Vermont who endorsed Mejia's campaign.

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What’s next

The winner of the April 16 special general election will serve out the remainder of Sherrill's term, which ends in January. There will also be a regular primary on June 2 and a general election on November 3 for the new term.

The takeaway

Mejia's victory in the Democratic primary highlights the shifting political landscape in New Jersey's 11th District, where voters have embraced a more progressive candidate over a more moderate option. This could signal a broader trend in the state and the region as the Democratic Party continues to evolve.