Democrat Analilia Mejia secured victory in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District special election Thursday, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway and blocking GOP efforts to expand their narrow House majority. The Associated Press called the race minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Progressive Candidate Overcomes Tough Primary

Mejia, who served as national political director for Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, pulled off an unexpected win in February’s Democratic primary. She narrowly defeated former Representative Tom Malinowski, a moderate, in a crowded field of 11 candidates. Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both endorsed her campaign, providing crucial support from the party’s progressive wing.

The special election filled the seat vacated when Mikie Sherrill stepped down to become New Jersey’s governor. Sherrill, a moderate Democrat, first flipped the suburban district to Democratic control in 2018 and won re-election by 15 points in 2024. Democrats maintain a significant registration advantage in the district, which Sherrill carried by similar margins in last year’s gubernatorial race.

Campaign Sparks Controversy Over Israel Policy

The race drew national attention over Mejia’s stance on Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Republican candidate Hathaway accused Mejia of antisemitism during the campaign’s only debate, citing her statements that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Hathaway claimed Jewish voters who traditionally support Democrats planned to cross party lines to vote for him.

Mejia responded by pledging to protect Jewish constituents’ rights and stated that criticism of government actions should not be conflated with bigotry. She later accepted an endorsement from J Street PAC, a liberal pro-Israel organization, which triggered criticism from progressive groups including the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America, who called the move a betrayal.

Impact on House Balance

Republicans face continued challenges maintaining their fragile House majority. The party hoped to flip the seat but confronted difficult odds in a district with strong Democratic support. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin praised Mejia’s grassroots campaign, saying she would fight to lower costs and address affordability issues facing New Jersey families. Mejia united Democrats before the election by campaigning with both Malinowski and Sherrill despite their different political orientations.