Analilia Mejia Makes History in NJ Special Election Win

Democrat Analilia Mejia has won the special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s congressional seat, making history as the first Latina to represent the district.

Her win is the latest sign of progressive momentum in Democratic races across the country. The race that was called by the Associated Press shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Mejia defeated Republican challenger Joe Hathaway with more than 60% of the total vote.

Mejia has had a long history organizing across labor unions. She is the former head of the New Jersey Working Families Party from 2014 until 2019, when she left to work on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Mejia will have to run again in the June primary for the term that begins in 2027.