13 Democrats Vie for Nomination in Special Election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District

TRENTON, N.J. — A crowded field of 13 Democratic candidates filed Monday to compete in the February primary for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, setting up a contest that could preview party priorities ahead of the 2026 midterms as Republicans seek to hold their majorities in Congress.

The special election was triggered by the resignation of Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was elected governor on Nov. 4 and stepped down from her House seat effective Nov. 20. Outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, issued the writ of election on Nov. 21, scheduling the Democratic and Republican primaries for Feb. 5, 2026, and the general election for April 16, 2026.

Candidates had until Monday to submit nomination petitions with at least 500 valid signatures from registered voters in the district, which spans parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties and leans Democratic.

The winner will serve the remainder of Sherrill's term, which ends in January 2027, before voters choose a full-term representative in the November 2026 general election.

Democrats hold a 220-215 edge in the House, with five vacancies pending special elections as of Monday. Republicans control the Senate 53-47. The midterms will test President Donald Trump's second-term agenda amid economic concerns and partisan battles over immigration and spending.

The Democratic primary features a mix of elected officials, activists, veterans and former Obama administration aides, many emphasizing affordability, health care and opposition to Trump policies. Key contenders include:

— Brendan Gill, an Essex County commissioner-at-large endorsed by Murphy, who praised his work on affordability and civil liberties. Gill represents 22 towns and focuses on community safety and equity.

— Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the progressive Center for Popular Democracy and a former national political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. Sanders endorsed Mejia last month, calling her a "true progressive" dedicated to working families. She previously served in the Labor Department under President Joe Biden.

— Tom Malinowski, a former congressman who lost his 7th District seat in 2022 and now seeks a comeback. Endorsed by Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., Malinowski highlighted his experience battling the Trump administration as assistant secretary of state for democracy and human rights under Obama and a National Security Council director under Clinton.

— Tahesha Way, New Jersey's outgoing lieutenant governor and former secretary of state, backed by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. The first Black woman to lead the National Association of Secretaries of State, Way stresses expanding opportunities and results-driven governance.

— Justin Strickland, a Chatham Township councilman, U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient who worked as a Pentagon official. His campaign centers on economic liberty and the American Dream, echoing winning issues from recent cycles.

— Anna Lee Williams, an activist with a decade in nonprofits and private sectors, focused on uniting people around key causes.

— Jeff Grayzel, former Morris Township mayor, current committeeman, police commission chairman and Board of Health member. He pledges to tackle taxes, development, infrastructure and environmental issues.

— Zach Beecher, a U.S. Army Reserves major and paratrooper making his political debut. He criticizes Trump and congressional inaction on costs, health care and global leadership.

— John Bartlett, Passaic County commissioner who ran for the seat in 2018. He positions himself as a "fighter" prioritizing public service and local concerns.

— Cammie Croft, an Obama-era official who helped pass the Affordable Care Act and founded a clean energy nonprofit. Her priorities include lowering family costs, curbing corruption and bipartisan immigration reform.

— Marc Chaaban, a 25-year-old former congressional staffer for Sherrill and Gen Z activist. He calls for rejecting Trump's agenda, banning congressional stock trading, ending corporate PAC influence and probing alleged cover-ups.

— Dean Dafis, Maplewood Township committeeman, former mayor and civil rights advocate. The first openly LGBTQ member of his local committee, he aims to boost affordability for working families.

— J.L. Cauvin, a lawyer, community advocate and comedian advocating for seniors, housing, AI leadership, democracy protections, stock trading bans and congressional term limits.

On the Republican side, Randolph Township Mayor Joe Hathaway is the sole candidate. A former aide to ex-Gov. Chris Christie, Hathaway launched his bid in September, framing it as a challenge to Democratic dominance in the district.

Democrats notched wins this year, including gubernatorial victories in New Jersey and Virginia, plus California's Proposition 50, which enables a new congressional map potentially adding up to five Democratic-leaning seats.

The primary's outcome could signal Democratic strategies for mobilizing suburban voters in battleground districts. Early voting for the Feb. 5 primaries runs Jan. 29 to Feb. 3.

--REAL AMERICA'S VOICE

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