Summary (tl;dr)

Analilia Mejia is currently leading in the closely contested special Democratic primary election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, with final results still being tallied against former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski.

Essential Background

The special election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District was necessitated by the resignation of Mikie Sherrill, who vacated her U.S. House seat on November 20, 2025, after being elected as New Jersey's 57th governor. This district, once considered a safe Republican area, has trended Democratic since Sherrill's significant victory in 2018.

The Full Story

Analilia Mejia, a progressive activist and former political director for Senator Bernie Sanders, is currently leading former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski in the special Democratic primary election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, which took place on February 5, 2026. With 90.8% of expected votes counted, Mejia holds a narrow lead of 486 votes over Malinowski, making the race too close to officially call as mail-in and provisional ballots await tabulation.

Mejia's campaign gained considerable momentum late in the race, securing endorsements from prominent progressive figures including Senator Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. While Malinowski, who previously represented New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, initially led based on early mail-in ballot returns, Mejia surged ahead as votes cast on election day were counted, particularly demonstrating strong performance in Essex County. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) notably spent over $2.3 million in an advertising campaign targeting Malinowski during the primary. The winner of this Democratic primary will advance to the special general election on April 16, 2026, where they will face Republican Joe Hathaway, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Why It Matters

The unexpectedly tight contest in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District's Democratic primary underscores a potential embrace of more progressive candidates within the Democratic Party, as Analilia Mejia's strong showing against a more established figure like Tom Malinowski demonstrates significant voter appetite for working-class and progressive leadership. Mejia's ability to nearly clinch victory despite being an underdog and facing substantial outside spending against a competitor highlights a shifting political landscape. The outcome of this special primary will determine who completes the remainder of former Governor Mikie Sherrill's term and could significantly influence the dynamics for the regular primary and general elections later this year that will decide who serves a full two-year term.

Geographic Location

• New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, New Jersey, United States (special Democratic primary election)
• Essex County, New Jersey, United States (Analilia Mejia's strong performance in the primary election)
• Morris County, New Jersey, United States (Analilia Mejia finished strong in the primary election)
• South Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, United States (Tom Malinowski's campaign manager addressed supporters on election night)
• Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey, United States (Brendan Gill addressed supporters on election night)
• Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States (Mikie Sherrill's inauguration ceremony as Governor of New Jersey)