New Jersey Democrats pick from crowded field in special election for Sherrill’s US House seat

New Jersey Democrats Face Off in Special Election for Sherrill’s Vacated House Seat

Democratic voters in New Jersey head to the polls Thursday in a competitive special primary election to determine who will compete for the U.S. House seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill, who stepped down after winning the state’s gubernatorial race last year.

The contest for the 11th Congressional District, which encompasses affluent New York City suburbs across parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey, has drawn a crowded field of 13 Democratic candidates. The Republican primary features Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway running unopposed.

Former Rep. Tom Malinowski has emerged as one of the leading Democratic contenders. Malinowski, who previously represented New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District before losing his reelection bid in 2022, has secured the endorsement of New Jersey Democratic Senator Andy Kim, bolstering his support among progressive voters.

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill brings significant political connections to the race. As the former campaign manager for ex-Governor Phil Murphy, Gill’s deep ties to the state’s Democratic establishment could prove advantageous in this competitive primary.

Progressive candidate Analilia Mejia has garnered high-profile endorsements that could energize the district’s left-leaning voters. As the former political director for Senator Bernie Sanders and previous head of New Jersey’s Working Families Alliance, Mejia has secured endorsements from Sanders himself and influential progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Tahesha Way, who until last month served as both lieutenant governor and secretary of state under Murphy’s administration, brings executive branch experience to the race. Her recent governmental role gives her heightened name recognition among district voters.

The primary also includes several other candidates: John Bartlett, Zach Beecher, J-L Cauvin, Marc Chaaban, Cammie Croft, Dean Dafis, Jeff Grayzel, Justin Strickland, and Anna Lee Williams, further fragmenting the Democratic vote.

The 11th District represents an important political battleground in New Jersey. Historically a Republican stronghold, the region began shifting toward Democrats during Donald Trump’s presidency. Sherrill capitalized on this changing political landscape in 2018, becoming the first Democrat to win the seat in decades and holding it for four terms before her successful gubernatorial campaign.

Political analysts suggest that maintaining Democratic control of this swing district will be crucial for the party’s efforts to regain a House majority in the 2024 elections. The district’s demographic profile—featuring affluent, highly educated suburban voters who have increasingly aligned with Democrats on social issues while maintaining fiscally moderate views—makes it representative of the type of constituency Democrats must retain to be competitive nationally.

The special general election, scheduled for April 16, will determine who serves the remainder of Sherrill’s term. The winner will need to quickly establish themselves in Washington while simultaneously preparing for the regular November election if they wish to secure a full term.

Voter turnout remains a significant concern for campaign organizers, as special elections typically generate less interest than regular cycles. Local Democratic officials have ramped up get-out-the-vote efforts, emphasizing the race’s importance in maintaining the party’s fragile position in the House.

For Republicans, Hathaway’s campaign represents an opportunity to recapture a seat that had been reliably Republican before the Trump era, potentially signaling a reversal of recent Democratic gains in suburban districts nationwide.