AP Projects Analilia Mejia Winner in NJ‑11 Special Election

Democrat Analilia Mejia has won the Special Election, according to the Associated Press, which officially projected her victory on Thursday night.

✔ Winner (Projected by AP): Analilia Mejia (D)

Mejia defeated Joe Hathaway (R) and Alan Bond (Independent) to fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill. Her win narrows the Republican House majority to 218–214 (pending certification).

Official Unofficial Vote Totals (County Websites, via NorthJersey.com)

• Analilia Mejia (D): 77,620 votes
◦ Essex: 33,548
◦ Morris: 38,587
◦ Passaic: 5,485

• Joe Hathaway (R): 52,122 votes
◦ Essex: 13,482
◦ Morris: 33,028
◦ Passaic: 5,612

• Alan B. Bond (I): 596 votes
◦ Essex: 263
◦ Morris: 278
◦ Passaic: 55

These numbers reflect unofficial county tallies and will be finalized after certification.

Turnout & Dynamics

Turnout exceeded expectations for a special election, surpassing 90,000 total ballots, driven by:
• Strong Democratic early-vote margins in Essex County
• Competitive in-person turnout in Morris County favoring Hathaway
• A negligible but measurable independent vote for Bond

Mejia’s early-vote advantage proved decisive, as she entered Election Day with a substantial lead that Hathaway’s in-person turnout could not overcome.

Context & Significance

• This election fills the remainder of the 119th Congress term.
• The seat was vacated when Mikie Sherrill became Governor.
• The result tightens the already narrow House balance.
• Mejia emerged from a crowded 13-candidate Democratic primary, while Hathaway was unopposed on the GOP side.

Certification Status

• AP has projected the winner, but
• New Jersey Division of Elections will certify results early next week.
• All numbers above remain unofficial until certification.

*****

Get Ageless Tech A.I.-Using AI to Your Advantage:
https://georgemagazine.com/agelesstech/

Get George’s America’s 250th:
https://georgemagazine.com/product/america-250-celebrating-legacy/

Get The George Dispatch:
https://georgemagazine.com/thedispatch/

Get George Magazine. Print or Digital:
https://georgemagazine.com/subscribe-george-magazine/

Get George Junior. Print or Digital:
https://georgemagazine.com/subscribe-george-junior-magazine/

Get George’s Crypto E-Playbook:
https://georgemagazine.com/product/the-crypto-playbook-by-george-magazine/