Voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District headed to the polls on Thursday in a highly competitive special primary to select the Democratic nominee for a U.S. House seat long held by Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, but by Friday morning, the race was too early to call.
Sherill, who served four terms in the House, resigned in November after winning the state’s governorship and was sworn in last month. The special general election is scheduled for April 16.
The seat represents parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties — a district that traditionally leans Democratic and where Sherrill captured about 56% of the vote in her most recent reelection, in 2024. Then-Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris won the district with 53% of the vote in the 2024 election.
The crowded field in this northern New Jersey district features a mix of elected officials, veterans, community activists and political operatives competing for the party’s nomination. High-profile contenders include Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill; former Rep. Tom Malinowski; Analilia Mejia, former political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders; and former Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way.
This race has drawn significant outside financial interest. According to campaign finance reports, outside groups have poured more than $4 million into the contest, with some organizations spending heavily on television, mailers and digital advertising aimed at both boosting and opposing particular candidates.
The Democratic winner will face Randolph Township Mayor Joe Hathaway, who is running unopposed in the GOP special primary, in the special general election.
Ebony Davis is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked at CNN as a campaign reporter covering elections and politics.