2026 New Jersey's 11th congressional district special election
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A special election is set for April 16, 2026, to fill the vacancy in New Jersey's 11th congressional district. The victor will join the United States House of Representatives, completing the term of the 119th United States Congress.
This seat became open on November 20, 2025, following Mikie Sherrill's resignation to assume the role of New Jersey governor. Outgoing Governor Phil Murphy has officially scheduled the special election for April 16, 2026. Early voting for the general election will span a nine-day period, from April 6th to April 14th, with voters also having the option to cast their ballots by mail.
The primary elections took place on February 5, 2026. Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, running unopposed, secured the Republican nomination.
**Democratic Primary**
**Campaign**
A significant issue in the Democratic primary was spending by AIPAC targeting Tom Malinowski. While considering himself a pro-Israel Democrat, Malinowski faced negative advertising from AIPAC after he declined to offer unconditional support for foreign military spending. These ads may have inadvertently benefited Analilia Mejia, who has stated that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
**Candidates**
**Declared**
John Bartlett, Passaic County Commissioner and a candidate for this district in 2018.
Zach Beecher, a U.S. Army veteran and venture capitalist.
J-L Cauvin, an attorney and comedian.
Cammie Croft, a nonprofit executive and former White House deputy new media director.
Brendan Gill, an at-large Essex County Commissioner, husband of State Assemblymember Alixon Collazos-Gill, and a candidate for New Jersey's 27th Assembly district in 2023.
Jeff Grayzel, Deputy Mayor of Morris Township and the nominee for New Jersey's 25th Senate district in 2021.
Tom Malinowski, former chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Party from 2024 to 2025, and former U.S. Representative from the 7th district from 2019 to 2023.
Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy.
Justin Strickland, an Army veteran and Chatham Borough council member.
Tahesha Way, former Lieutenant Governor from 2023 to 2026 and New Jersey Secretary of State from 2018 to 2026.
Anna Lee Williams, a corporate social responsibility manager.
**Withdrawn**
Marc Chaaban, former congressional staffer, remained on the ballot and endorsed Mejia.
Dean Dafis, Maplewood Township committeeman and former mayor, remained on the ballot and endorsed Gill.
**Disqualified**
Donald Cresitello, former mayor of Morristown from 1977 to 1981 and 2006 to 2010, and a candidate for U.S. Senate in 1982 and 2008.
**Did Not File**
Kennedy Pivnick, former legal intern at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
**Declined**
Matthew Platkin, Attorney General of New Jersey from 2022 to 2026.
**Endorsements**
**County Conventions**
**Fundraising**
**Polling**
**Results**
**Republican Primary**
**Candidates**
**Nominee**
Joe Hathaway, Mayor of Randolph.
**Endorsements**
**Fundraising**
**Results**
**General Election**
**Predictions**
**Post-Primary Endorsements**
**Results**
**Notes**
Partisan clients
**References**
**External Links**
Official campaign sites are available for John Bartlett (D), Zach Beecher (D), J-L Cauvin (D), Cammie Croft (D), Dean Dafis (D), Brendan Gill (D), Jeff Grayzel (D), Joe Hathaway (R), Tom Malinowski (D), Analilia Mejia (D), Justin Strickland (D), Tahesha Way (D), and Anna Lee Williams (D).
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A special election will be held on April 16, 2026, to fill the vacant seat in New Jersey's 11th congressional district. The winner will serve in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 119th United States Congress.
The seat became vacant on November 20, 2025, when Mikie Sherrill resigned to become the governor of New Jersey. Outgoing governor Phil Murphy announced the special election scheduled for April 16, 2026. Early voting for the general election will take place during a nine-day period (April 6 to April 14). Voters will have the option to cast their votes by mail.
Primary elections were held on February 5, 2026. Randolph mayor Joe Hathaway was uncontested and thus won the Republican nomination.
== Democratic primary ==
=== Campaign ===
Spending by AIPAC against Tom Malinowski was a major issue in the primary. He considered himself a pro-Israel Democrat, but AIPAC targeted him with negative advertising after he declined to unconditionally support foreign military spending. The ads may have inadvertantly boosted Analilia Mejia, who agrees that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
=== Candidates ===
==== Declared ====
John Bartlett, Passaic County commissioner and candidate for this district in 2018
Zach Beecher, U.S. Army veteran and venture capitalist
J-L Cauvin, attorney and comedian
Cammie Croft, nonprofit executive and former White House deputy new media director
Brendan Gill, at-large Essex County commissioner, husband of state assemblymember Alixon Collazos-Gill, and candidate for New Jersey's 27th assembly district in 2023
Jeff Grayzel, deputy mayor of Morris Township and nominee for New Jersey's 25th senate district in 2021
Tom Malinowski, former chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Party (2024–2025) and former U.S. representative from the 7th district (2019–2023)
Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy
Justin Strickland, Army veteran and Chatham Borough council member
Tahesha Way, former lieutenant governor (2023–2026) and secretary of state of New Jersey (2018–2026)
Anna Lee Williams, corporate social responsibility manager
==== Withdrawn ====
Marc Chaaban, former congressional staffer (remained on ballot, endorsed Mejia)
Dean Dafis, Maplewood Township committeeman and former mayor (remained on ballot, endorsed Gill)
==== Disqualified ====
Donald Cresitello, former mayor of Morristown (1977–1981, 2006–2010) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1982 and 2008
==== Did not file ====
Kennedy Pivnick, former legal intern at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
==== Declined ====
Matthew Platkin, attorney general of New Jersey (2022–2026)
=== Endorsements ===
=== County conventions ===
=== Fundraising ===
=== Polling ===
=== Results ===
== Republican primary ==
=== Candidates ===
==== Nominee ====
Joe Hathaway, mayor of Randolph
=== Endorsements ===
=== Fundraising ===
=== Results ===
== General election ==
=== Predictions ===
=== Post-primary endorsements ===
=== Results ===
== Notes ==
Partisan clients
== References ==
== External links ==
Official campaign sites
John Bartlett (D)
Zach Beecher (D)
J-L Cauvin (D)
Cammie Croft (D)
Dean Dafis (D)
Brendan Gill (D)
Jeff Grayzel (D)
Joe Hathaway (R)
Tom Malinowski (D)
Analilia Mejia (D)
Justin Strickland (D)
Tahesha Way (D)
Anna Lee Williams (D)
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