Twelve candidates are running in the special Democratic primary for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District on Feb. 5, 2026. John Bartlett (D), Brendan Gill (D), Tom Malinowski (D), Analilia Mejia (D), and Tahesha Way (D) lead in endorsements and media attention. The previous incumbent, Mikie Sherrill, resigned on Nov. 20, 2025, following her election as New Jersey's 57th governor.
The New York Times' Tracey Tully wrote that "the heightened level of candidate interest stems both from the rarity of an open seat in the middle of a congressional cycle and from New Jersey's recent changes to its primary ballot design, which weakened the power of local party leaders and helped to level the playing field for independent candidates."
According to NJ Spotlight News' Colleen O'Dea, the district was "once considered a safe Republican district, it shifted for Democrats when Sherrill won a decisive victory in the 2018 blue wave, defeating state Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) after incumbent Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen retired that year."[2]
Bartlett was first elected to an at-large seat on the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners in 2012. He is also a partner at the law firm Murphy Orlando LLC.
Bartlett's campaign website states that "at a time when our democracy is being tested, and Trump's MAGA Republicans are making life harder and more expensive for everyday Americans, John is ready to continue the fight for freedom, affordability, and opportunity." The Passaic County Democratic Committee endorsed Bartlett.
Gill was first elected to an at-large seat on the Essex County Board of County Commissioners in 2010. He is also the chief executive officer of the consulting firm, the BGill Group, and the chair of the Montclair Democratic County Committee.
Gill said, "I'm running for Congress because our president, enabled by bootlickers in Congress and Wall Street, is wreaking havoc on our streets, hollowing out our economy, [and] tearing down our American values. I'm running to fight back against Donald Trump and his crooked buddies, and to make sure that everyone has a place at the table." New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and the Essex County Democratic Committee endorsed Gill.
Malinowski represented New Jersey's 7th Congressional District from 2019 to 2023. He previously worked as a senior director on the National Security Council during the Clinton administration and as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of State during the Obama administration.
Malinowski said, "I feel very strongly that we need a Congress that will check the president's corruption and abuse of power, and go back to doing its job to build an economy that works for people bottom-up rather than billionaire-down. I've got the experience, I've done it before, and I'll be ready to do it effectively the day I'm elected." U.S. Sen. Andrew Kim (D-N.J.) and the Morris County Democratic Committee endorsed Malinowski.
Mejia is the co-director of the Center for Popular Democracy. She previously served as the deputy director of the Women's Bureau in the U.S. Department of Labor during the Biden administration and as political director on Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign.
Mejia said, "Too many Democrats in Washington are selling us out and folding under pressure. Plain old blue just won't cut it anymore. We need real fighters in Congress, and I'm running to be a brawler for working families. I won't be afraid to stand up to Trump or his billionaire friends." Sanders and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka endorsed Mejia.
Way was first appointed New Jersey Lieutenant Governor in 2023 and New Jersey Secretary of State in 2018. She served on the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners from 2008 to 2010 and as special counsel with the Passaic County Board of Social Services.
Way said, "I've spent my entire life fighting for and protecting our right to vote, tackling New Jersey's affordability crisis, and ensuring access to health care. I'm the one with the proven results, and I can get it done, day one." The Passaic County Democratic Committee endorsed Way.
Zach Beecher (D), J-L Cauvin (D), Cammie Croft (D), Dean Dafis (D), Jeffrey Grayzel (D), Justin Strickland (D), and Anna Lee Williams (D) are also running in the special Democratic primary.
In New Jersey, the congressional candidate who wins the largest share of the vote wins the election. A congressional candidate does not need to win an outright majority to advance to the general election.
Cauvin and Strickland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
As of Jan. 6, 2026, nine special elections have been called for the 119th Congress. From the 113th Congress to the 118th Congress, 80 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections, click here.