Saying that Democrats are “exhausted by insider politics,” congressional candidate Analilia Mejia has asked Democratic party leaders in New Jersey’s 11th district to stay neutral in the February 4 special primary to fill the seat of Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th district.
“A compressed timeline already makes it difficult for voters to learn about all of the incredibly qualified candidates running. The last thing we need is a rushed process that puts a finger on the scale,” Mejia said in a letter to Democratic county committee members. “We can’t tell people we’re fighting for democracy in Washington while participating in processes here at home that feel rigged from the start.”
Mejia, a veteran labor organizer and Glen Ridge resident, served as the national political director for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign in 2020; Sanders has endorsed her to replace Sherrill.
Essex and Morris Democrats have scheduled an endorsement convention to award the use of the organization’s slogan in a contest that includes no other offices. Passaic Democrats typically hold a screening committee, but the party has not indicated whether it will endorse for the special primary.
“When I talk to voters across the district, one thing comes through loud and clear: they’re exhausted by insider politics and the current direction of the Democratic Party,” Mejia said. “We eliminated the county line because people were tired of political insiders and party bosses picking election winners instead of voters. Yet here we are again, with some counties rushing toward endorsements in a race where voters have barely had time to meet the candidates.”
Other candidates include: Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett (D-Wayne); Iraq War veteran and venture capitalist Zachary Beecher; attorney and Trump impersonator J-L Cauvin; former congressional staffer Marc Chaaban; former Obama White House staffer Cammie Croft; Maplewood Township Committeeman and former mayor Dean Dafis; Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair); Morris Township Committeeman and former mayor Jeff Grayzel; newcomer Joseph Lewis; former Rep. Tom Malinowski; newcomer Kennedy Pivnick; Chatham Councilman and Iraq War veteran Justin Strickland; Lt. Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way; and community advocate Anna Lee Williams.
The filing deadline is at 4 PM today.
Last week, a group of over 60 Essex County Democratic county committee members called for the convention to be pushed back a few weeks and for ranked-choice voting to be used.
