NJ-11: Mejia (D), Hathaway (R) hit the campaign trail, and one another, in final week of special
Regardless of who wins next week’s special election in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, voters are in for a change.
11th district Democrats, though satisfied with their representation by now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill for seven years, have nominated a staunch progressive, Analilia Mejia, to succeed her. While the moderate Sherrill came from an apolitical military background, Mejia cut her teeth in the trenches of New Jersey progressive politics, and has promised to bring a new energy to what’s long been seen as more of a centrist district.
Hoping to halt Mejia’s rise is Joe Hathaway, a Republican councilman and former mayor in the Morris County suburb of Randolph. Hathaway has been more willing than many GOP politicians to break with President Donald Trump and promote a more bipartisan image, but he remains a loyal Republican who says Democrats have veered far off course.
By any measure, Mejia is the favorite to win. The 11th district includes a mix of left- and right-leaning North Jersey suburbs, but the left-leaning ones have a mathematical advantage; in the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris carried the district by a 53%-44% margin, and the political environment has only improved for Democrats since then.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/mejia-hathaway-hit-the-campaign-trail-and-one-another-in-final-week-of-nj-11-special/