A Surprise Projection Flip Seals the Win (Image Credits: Unsplash)
New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District witnessed a surprising shift when union leader Analilia Mejia emerged victorious in the special Democratic primary.
A Surprise Projection Flip Seals the Win
Decision Desk HQ called the race for former Representative Tom Malinowski on February 5, only to retract the projection 90 minutes later as Morris County results poured in favoring Mejia. She maintained a lead of several hundred votes through the night, securing about 29 percent in the low-turnout contest with a final margin of roughly 1,100 votes. Malinowski conceded five days later, acknowledging the outcome in a crowded field of 11 Democrats.
Mejia, a former state director for the New Jersey Working Families Party and senior adviser to Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign, defied expectations despite lacking Malinowski’s national profile. Her grassroots effort drew over 1,000 volunteers and small-dollar donations after Sanders endorsed her early. The victory filled the vacancy left by Mikie Sherrill, who had won the governorship in 2025.
Dark Money Enters the Fray
The United Democracy Project, affiliated with AIPAC, poured $2.3 million into attack ads targeting Malinowski, a Rhodes Scholar and former Obama administration official. The spots accused him of supporting expansive ICE funding through a 2019 budget vote, despite his pro-Israel record, including applause for the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem. UDP reserved additional TV time in mid-January but focused domestically rather than on foreign policy.
Malinowski decried the ads as “the most disgusting version” of politics and pledged to oppose any AIPAC-backed candidate in future races. He clarified his stance against unconditional aid to Israel, stating, “I wouldn’t promise a blank check in advance for anything a prime minister would ask for.” Observers suggested the immigration emphasis may have backfired, elevating Mejia as the field’s strongest critic of ICE.
Immigration and Gaza Divide the Field
Mejia positioned herself firmly against ICE, describing its tactics as “kidnapping people off the street and shoving them into unmarked cars.” At a late-January forum hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, she stood alone in affirming Israel’s actions in Gaza constituted genocide. Her platform also called for taxing billionaires, Medicare for All, and universal childcare.
Malinowski campaigned on health care, housing, and countering Trump’s influence, promising to fight corruption from day one. Yet Mejia framed Democrats as needing “real fighters,” declaring in her announcement, “Too many Democrats in Washington are selling us out and folding under pressure. Plain old blue just won’t cut it anymore.”
Endorsements Fuel the Grassroots Surge
Mejia amassed support from progressive heavyweights:
- Bernie Sanders, who announced her campaign alongside her.
- Nine House members, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Senator Elizabeth Warren.
- Unions, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
- College Democrats of New Jersey and NJ Working Families Party staff.
Malinowski relied on his resume from flipping a suburban seat in 2018 and Human Rights Watch leadership. Melissa Byrne, a Sanders campaign veteran, praised Mejia’s “deep labor and community organizing experience.”
Lessons for Democrats in a Fractured Era
The race highlighted tensions between technocratic moderates and populist organizers, echoing New Jersey’s shift from machine politics to reform efforts. Mejia’s success validated criticism of the Israel lobby and economic populism, though her vote share underscored challenges in suburban districts.
Key Takeaways:
- Dark money on immigration may drive voters to anti-ICE candidates.
- Progressive endorsements mobilize volunteers effectively in low-turnout races.
- Democrats face pressure to embrace “fighter” messaging amid authoritarian threats.
Mejia now eyes the April special general election, a June primary, and November general, potentially facing rematches or pro-Israel challengers like Tahesha Way. Her path tests whether grassroots energy can sustain against deep-pocketed opposition. This win signals evolving liberal politics, prioritizing resistance over restoration. What does Mejia’s rise mean for Democrats nationwide? Share your thoughts in the comments.