NJ election tightens pressure on GOP majority

Voters in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district are deciding a special election that could further narrow the Republican House majority as Democrat Analilia Mejia faces Republican Joe Hathaway.

The race fills the seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill after becoming governor, with Democrats holding a 65,000 voter registration advantage in a district they won by nine points in 2024.

A Mejia victory would leave House Speaker Mike Johnson able to lose just two Republican votes on party-line legislation, tightening an already fragile majority.

The contest has drawn national attention as Republicans currently hold 218 seats plus one aligned independent, while Democrats hold 213 seats with four vacancies, making every seat critical to legislative control.

“I won’t be a rubber stamp,”

Said Hathaway during an April debate, positioning himself as a moderate Republican distinct from former President Donald Trump.

Mejia, backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, campaigned on taxing billionaires and affordability, while Hathaway raised about $500,000 compared with Mejia’s roughly $1 million, with most of his funding coming from larger donors.

The outcome is also seen as a signal for midterm momentum, as recent special elections have shown Democrats outperforming expectations in suburban districts, potentially shaping party strategy heading into November.