Analilia Mejia Captures Special Election

Democrat cruises to victory for U.S. House seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Ananlilia Mejia was declared the winner of the April 16 special election over Joe Hathaway.

Democrat Analilia Mejia scored a decisive win over Republican opponent Joe Hathaway in the special election for Gov. Mikie Sherrill's vacant U.S. Congress (NJ-11) seat.

The district includes Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties.

With more than 90 percent of the ballots tallied, Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, defeated Hathaway, the former Randolph mayor, with 59.5 percent of the votes. Hathaway captured 40 percent.

Mejia, who became the first N.J. Latina in Congress, will fill a term that expires January 3, 2027. It will be a busy term, including a June 2 primary and a November 2 general election to win the next term to become a member of the 120th U.S. Congress. Hathaway is the lone Republican on the June 2 ballot, while Mejia faces challenges from Justin Strickland, a Chatham Borough Councilman; Donald Cressitello, the former Morristown mayor; and Joseph Lewis.

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