A progressive candidate supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is on the verge of an upset win as vote counting continues in a Democratic Party primary for a blue-leaning congressional seat in New Jersey.
Analilia Mejia, a far-left organizer, holds a narrow lead of 486 votes out of more than 61,000 counted over former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NY) in the race for their party’s nomination in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
The contest features 11 Democrat candidates competing to fill the vacancy created when now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill stepped down after winning November’s gubernatorial election in the Garden State.
Malinowski previously served as an assistant secretary of state in former President Barack Obama’s administration and later represented a neighboring northern New Jersey district from 2018 to 2022 before losing re-election.
He entered the Democrat primary widely viewed as the front-runner.
Special Election Stakes For House Balance
The Democratic nominee will face Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, the only Republican to file for the special election scheduled for April 16.
Republicans currently hold a razor-thin 218–214 majority in the House of Representatives, heightening the stakes of special elections across the country.
Hathaway is considered the underdog in the heavily Democrat district.
Sherrill won re-election there in 2024 by 15 points, matching her margin in the gubernatorial race.
However, then–Vice President Kamala Harris carried the district by just eight points in the 2024 presidential election, offering Republicans some hope of a potential upset.
Additional Special Elections Could Shift House Dynamics
Republicans may gain a seat before the New Jersey general election occurs.
A March 10 special election is scheduled in Georgia’s solidly Republican 14th Congressional District to replace former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
Greene stepped away from Congress a year before her term ended.
A total of 22 candidates, including 17 Republicans, are competing.
Under Georgia law, all candidates appear on a single ballot, with a runoff on April 7 if no contender surpasses 50%.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump endorsed Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Clay Fuller, a Republican, in the race.
Greene won re-election in 2024 by nearly 30 points, while Trump carried the northwest Georgia district by 37 points, underscoring the GOP’s advantage there.
Another Vacancy In California
Congress also faces a vacancy in California’s 1st Congressional District following the recent unexpected death of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA).
A primary to fill the seat is scheduled for June 2, with a special general election set for August 4.
The northeastern California district is considered solidly Republican.
With multiple special elections unfolding simultaneously, control of the narrowly divided House remains in flux as both parties look for opportunities to strengthen their numbers.
READ MORE – ‘Carpetbagger’ AOC Spent Thousands in Campaign Funds on Luxury Hotels in NYC
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.