Voters of NJ’s 11th Congressional District Choose Their Nominees for April’s Special Election

Written by: Dereck Alegria

The dust has finally settled on the first congressional primary of 2026. Following the certification of last month’s special primary results, voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District have officially selected the candidates who will face off on April 16 to fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill.

The race, which became necessary after Sherrill resigned to take the oath as New Jersey’s 57th Governor in January, is being watched closely as an early indicator of the political climate heading into the fall midterms.

On the Democratic side, Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular

Democracy, emerged victorious from a field of over a dozen candidates. Mejia secured roughly 29% of the vote, narrowly defeating former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski, who garnered approximately 28%.

The primary was marked by heavy spending and national endorsements. Mejia, a high-profile progressive who served as a senior advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, relied on a grassroots coalition and endorsements from the "Squad" to overcome more moderate local favorites. Other notable contenders included former Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way (17%) and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (14%).

While the Democratic primary was a "bruising" multi-candidate battle, the Republican side

was a study in unity. Joe Hathaway (pictured on the right), the former Mayor of Randolph and a corporate communications professional, ran largely uncontested. Hathaway coasted to the nomination with over 97% of the Republican vote, positioning himself as a fiscally conservative "workhorse" ready to flip the district back to GOP control for the first time since 2018.

With the nominees confirmed, the 11th District now looks toward the special general election. The winner will serve the remainder of the 119th Congress through January 3, 2027.

The New Jersey Division of Elections has confirmed that the voter registration deadline for the April special general election is March 26, 2026.

Important Dates:

• Early Voting: Runs from April 6 to April 14.

• Mail-In Ballots: Must be received by the County Clerk by April 9 if sent by mail, or returned to a secure drop box by 8:00 p.m. on election night.

• Election Day: Thursday, April 16, 2026.

As Mejia and Hathaway begin their six-week sprint to the finish, the 11th District remains one of the most competitive "purple" pockets in the state.