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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

New Jersey's special Democratic primary too early to call

Malinowski was trailing Mejia narrowly as election officials continued counting outstanding mail ballots.

New Jersey's special Democratic primary too early to call
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This article1 analysis · Oct 10, 2026

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111 stories · 88–89 · updated Oct 11, 2026

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tl;dr

New Jersey’s special Democratic primary remained too close to call, with Analilia Mejia leading former Rep. Tom Malinowski by 486 votes as mail ballots remained outstanding. The winner will face Republican Joe Hathaway in the April 16 special election.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Tom Malinowski Former U.S. Representative (D-NJ)
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Malinowski in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Malinowski’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Tom Malinowski
Former U.S. Representative (D-NJ)

Democratic candidate in the special House primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Analilia Mejia
D · NJ-11

Democratic candidate in the special House primary

Mejia's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Andy Kim
D · NJ · SEN

Senator who endorsed Malinowski

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President mentioned in background on the district’s political history

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Former president whose Labor Department employed Mejia

Republican candidate for the House seat

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator and former political employer of Mejia

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Dean Dafis
D · NJ

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Mikie Sherrill
Former U.S. Representative (D-NJ)

Governor whose election left the House seat vacant

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Candidate in the special Democratic primary

Representative who endorsed Mejia

Democratic candidate in the special primary

Democratic candidate in the special primary

ALSO MENTIONED  J-L Cauvin, Candidate in the special Democratic primary; Phil Murphy, Former governor mentioned in connection with candidates

Part of a bigger story

8 OUTLETS
Mejia Leads Malinowski in New Jersey 11th District Democratic Primary

Outlets agree that Analilia Mejia narrowly led former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski in the New Jersey 11th District Democratic special primary, which remained unresolved as ballots were counted. Center outlets mostly emphasize the close count and outstanding ballots, with some placing the race in a wider debate over Democratic party organizations and the party’s direction. Right-leaning outlets also focus on the narrow lead, while drawing attention to candidate backing and institutional support.

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