On Thursday evening, New Jersey, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, took a slight shift towards the Republican side.
The state’s newly elected congresswoman not only shares a penchant for the same bold lipstick as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent “Squad” member, but also champions the progressive, democratic socialist ideals that her previous mentor, Bernie Sanders, along with AOC and Elizabeth Warren, support.
Analilia Mejia, whose parents were immigrants, secured a decisive victory in a special election to complete the term of Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill in the House of Representatives.
In November, she is expected to once again face her Republican opponent, Joe Hathaway, as they vie for the opportunity to represent the 11th District for a full two-year term. This would mark her fourth electoral contest in less than a year.
At 48, Mejia has a history of political involvement, having served as a delegate for Sanders during the 2016 Democratic primary and played a role in his 2020 campaign before joining the Labor Department under the Biden administration.
Her campaign is rooted in progressive policies, advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the introduction of Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, student loan cancellation, a $25 minimum wage, and increased taxes on the wealthy.
She will likely align herself with the progressive âSquadâ in the House and described herself Thursday night as the âsassy new member of Congress.â
âDonât forget,” she reminded her supporters, “in eight weeks we got to do it again.”
After defeating 11 rivals in February’s special Democratic primary — with the help of endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and Warren — Mejia faces a June 2 primary to secure the nomination in the Nov. 3 midterm.
The beaten Hathaway, the former mayor of Randolph Township, told his backers he was ready to face Mejia again in November, “when more voices will be heard and the full electorate will have its say.”
During the campaign, Hathaway attacked Mejia as a socialist — comparing her to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — and an antisemite after she argued that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza during its war against Hamas.
âMy opinion is that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is a war criminal,” she said in March, adding: “I do not extend the blame I feel towards him toward the Israeli people or the Jewish people.”
âAs a member of Congress, I would use every legislative power at my disposal to protect the rights of Jewish constituents and convene spaces to educate and to fight antisemitism, because I know itâs real,â she said during a debate with Hathaway.
Democrats see Mejia’s win as a sign voters are rejecting President Trumpâs policies and expressing discontent with the high cost of living. New Jerseyâs affluent 11th District – which covers parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties – was long a Republican stronghold but has become increasingly Democratic since Trump’s ascenscion to the top of the GOP.
âMy opponent will speak a nice game about affordability, but in fact, Republicans like himself and Donald Trump have been driving your economic instability,â she said in the debate.
Mejia, the daughter of an undocumented mother from Colombia and a father from the Dominican Republic, was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, and her background has shaped her views on immigration and ICE.
âThis is a rogue agency thatâs committing human rights violations on a daily basis,” she said. “You canât reform that or fix it with more oversight. We have to abolish ICE, shut down Delaney Hall [detention facility in Newark], and hold every single person responsible for their crimes against humanity. And we need to do it now before more people die in cages on American soil. Enough is enough.”
