{"id":2565847,"date":"2026-02-06T10:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-primary-undecided-as-progressive-candidate-pulls-ahead\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:49:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:49:07","slug":"new-jersey-primary-undecided-as-progressive-candidate-pulls-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-primary-undecided-as-progressive-candidate-pulls-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey primary undecided as progressive candidate pulls ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-jersey-primary-undecided-as-progressive-candidate-pulls-ahead%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2565847&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New Jersey\u2019s 11th Congressional District Democratic primary remains undecided as progressive Analilia Mejia pulls ahead of former Rep. Tom Malinowski in a crowded field for the special-election seat. As of Friday morning, Mejia led with about 17,647 votes (28.8%) to Malinowski\u2019s 17,161 votes (28.0%) among roughly 11 candidates.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Decision Desk HQ initially called the race for malinowski but retracted the projection late in the night after a surge of same-day Morris County votes favored Mejia, prompting a reassessment of the race.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Mejia, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leftist-shout-close-private-detention-centers-abolish-ice-biden-pleads-i-agree-with-you-give-me-another-five-days\/\" title=\"Leftist Shout \u2018Close Private Detention Centers! Abolish ICE!\u2019 Biden Pleads, \u2018I Agree With You \u2026 Give Me Another Five Days\u2019\">national political director<\/a> for Bernie Sanders\u2019s 2020 campaign and a former Labor Department official, has endorsements from Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and ran on a progressive platform including ideas like Medicare for All and tax-free first wages.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Malinowski ran a more moderate campaign focused on lowering costs, opposing certain tariffs, fighting corruption, and democracy reforms; he also faced heavy negative advertising from AIPAC.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; AIPAC\u2019s ad spending in the primary shifted during the race, with the group backing Malinowski at one point and later supporting Taesha Way after his Israel stance drew criticism. Mejia has been more critical of Israel in comparison.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The winner will face Republican Joe Hathaway, mayor of Randolph Township, in the general election. Other notable candidates mentioned include Taesha Way (who had a measurable share and lead in Passaic county) and Brendan Gill.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >article notes ongoing coverage<\/a>,endorsements,and the political dynamics surrounding the primary and the anticipated general election.<\/p>\n<p>In short,the race is tight and trending toward a shift in momentum,with Mejia surging in the final votes and the outcome uncertain as voters continue to be counted.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New Jersey primary still undecided as progressive candidate Analilia Mejia pulls ahead<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2496209\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>New Jersey&rsquo;s 11th District Democratic primary is still too close to call after progressive candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4422517\/analilia-mejia-progressive-endorsements-new-jersey-special-election\/\">Analilia Mejia<\/a> pulled ahead of former Democratic Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3913749\/andy-kim-support-primary-bids-against-democratic-new-jersey-senator\/\">Tom Malinowski<\/a> late Thursday evening.<\/p>\n<p>Mejia is currently leading the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4447217\/candidates-democratic-primary-mikie-sherrill-house-seat\/\">pack of 11 candidates<\/a> vying for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/special-election\/\">special election<\/a> seat<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">, with about 17,647 votes, or&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/election-night.decisiondeskhq.com\/date\/2026-02-05\">28.8%<\/a><\/span>, as of Friday morning. Former 7th District congressman Malinowski is trailing Mejia by just 486 votes, with 17,161 votes, or 28.0%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4448175\/mary-peltola-alaska-senate-climate-gop\/\">&#8216;Not Alaska First&#8217;: Peltola&#8217;s Green New Deal allies draw scrutiny in Alaska Senate bid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4447688\/kentucky-senate-andy-barr-daniel-cameron-nate-morris\/\">Andy Barr surges into GOP polling lead in bid to replace McConnell<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4447217\/candidates-democratic-primary-mikie-sherrill-house-seat\/\">Here are the candidates in the Democratic primary to fill Mikie Sherrill&#8217;s House seat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Decision Desk HQ initially called the race in favor of Malinowski on Thursday evening just before 9:00 p.m. The Democratic National Committee also issued a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/democrats.org\/news\/dnc-congratulates-democratic-nominee-tom-malinowski-on-his-victory-in-nj-11-special-election-primary\/\">congratulatory statement<\/a> to Malinowski, saying he &ldquo;clinched victory.&rdquo; However, the election forecaster <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DecisionDeskHQ\/status\/2019614645569372665?s=20\">rescinded its projection<\/a> around 10:30 p.m., citing a surge in same-day votes for Mejia in Morris County, where Malinowski was expected to perform the best.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As the night progressed, margins in Morris County quickly tilted toward Mejia; Mejia began winning drops by 20%-30%, representing a swing of 65 points compared to the absentee vote. This trend reversal prompted us to re-examine our race projection and ultimately retract it,&rdquo; Decision Desk HQ <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DecisionDeskHQ\/status\/2019614645569372665?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As Election Day votes for Mejia began coming in after the initial Malinowski call, the&nbsp;betting market&nbsp;began to reverse in favor of the progressive candidate. Mejia trolled the initial call <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AnaliliaForNJ\/status\/2019613603192770985?s=20\">on X<\/a> with a &ldquo;Dewey defeats Truman&rdquo; image and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AnaliliaForNJ\/status\/2019650017368092975?s=20\">declared her own<\/a> victory overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Mejia, who previously served as the national political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders&rsquo;s (I-VT) 2020 presidential campaign and served in the Labor Department under former President Joe Biden, scored high-profile endorsements, including from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\">Sanders<\/a> and Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez\/\">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> (D-NY). She ran a campaign focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/peru-choosing-between-2-populist-candidates-in-presidential-run-offs\/\" title=\"Peru choosing between 2 populist ... in presidential run-offs\">left-wing ideas<\/a>, such as making the first $40,000 in wages free of federal taxes and creating a &ldquo;Medicare for All&rdquo; system.<\/p>\n<p>Malinowski ran a more moderate Democratic campaign focused on lowering health insurance and housing costs, throwing out President Donald Trump&rsquo;s tariffs, fighting corruption, and enacting democracy-safeguarding reforms.<\/p>\n<p>Malinowski was also hammered by negative <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aipac\/\">AIPAC<\/a> ads, which could deal a detrimental blow to his campaign. AIPAC&rsquo;s super PAC spent over $2.3 million on ads attacking Malinowski in the primary cycle, even though the group previously supported the former congressman, according to <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/punchbowl.news\/article\/campaigns\/mejia-nj-upset\/\">Punchbowl News<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>AIPAC&rsquo;s reversal came after Malinowski criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the war in Gaza and after he did not rule out conditioning aid to Israel, though he still supports financially backing Israel&rsquo;s security, according to the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/25\/nyregion\/new-jersey-malinowski-israel-aipac.html\">New York Times<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">AIPAC instead&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2026\/02\/04\/aipac-new-jersey-israel-lobby-donors\/\">backed<\/a>&nbsp;former Democratic Lt. Gov. Taesha Way&rsquo;s c<\/span>ampaign, but may have given room for Mejia, who has been much more critical of Israel and supportive of Palestinians, to pull ahead.<\/p>\n<p>The Democratic candidate elected will face Republican Joe Hathaway, the mayor of Randolph Township, in the general election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill&rsquo;s (D-NJ) former congressional seat.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4447217\/candidates-democratic-primary-mikie-sherrill-house-seat\/\">HERE ARE THE CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO FILL MIKIE SHERRILL&rsquo;S HOUSE SEAT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Way currently has 10,716 votes, or 17.4%, to her name and is leading in Passaic County.<\/p>\n<p>Brendan Gill, former Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy&rsquo;s pick, has 14.2% of the vote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mejia leads NJ-11 primary; race too close to call<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2565848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP22200851418491.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33096,5894,4909,3629,9711],"class_list":["post-2565847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-new-jersey","tag-politics","tag-primary","tag-progressive","tag-undecided"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP22200851418491.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2565847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2565847"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2565847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2565851,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2565847\/revisions\/2565851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2565848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2565847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2565847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2565847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}