When Mikie Sherrill clinched victory in New Jersey’s governor’s race this November, she left behind more than just her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her departure from Congress at 11:59 p.m. on November 20, 2025, triggered a political scramble in the state’s 11th Congressional District—a reliably red stronghold until Sherrill’s 2018 upset—setting the stage for a special election that’s quickly shaping up to be a microcosm of the national debate over the future of the Democratic Party.
Governor Phil Murphy wasted no time announcing the timeline for this contest: both parties will hold primaries on February 5, 2026, with the general election slated for April 16. The district, which stretches across parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, is now the focus of an unusually crowded and energetic Democratic field, with at least eleven candidates vying for the nomination. On the Republican side, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway stands alone, at least for now.
Sherrill’s initial win in 2018 was historic—a 37-point swing that ended 34 years of Republican dominance in the district. Since then, the district has only become friendlier to Democrats, especially after redistricting following the 2020 census. The non-partisan Cook Political Report now rates the 11th as “Solid Democrat,” but that hasn’t stopped a slew of hopefuls from jumping into the race, each eager to make their mark in a contest that’s as much about the soul of the party as it is about local representation.
On the Democratic side, the field is a who’s-who of New Jersey politics, rising stars, and political outsiders. Brendan Gill, a former campaign manager for Governor Murphy and Essex County Commissioner, has quickly garnered establishment support, including endorsements from Murphy himself and the chair of the state Democratic Committee, Leroy Jones. "I’m excited to see the widening field. You know, I think that’s evidence that our democracy is working," Gill told NBC News on Friday. He’s also pointed to endorsements from over 70 local leaders, including all four Democratic state senators representing the district.
But Gill isn’t the only candidate with deep party ties. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, who previously served the neighboring 7th District, is also making a bid. Malinowski, endorsed by sitting U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, is positioning himself as the only candidate with proven experience and the ability to “be effective” from day one. "I’m the only Democrat running in the primary who has represented any part of this district and who has the experience to be effective," Malinowski told NBC News. Though he’s faced criticism for not currently living in the district, Malinowski has promised to move if he wins the primary, noting that he works in the district and teaches at Seton Hall University.
Yet, this race is far from an insider-only affair. A new generation of political outsiders is making waves, including 25-year-old Mark Chaaban, the son of Lebanese immigrants and a first-time candidate. "First run for congress. First run for any elected office. And if elected, I believe I'll be the first member of Congress born in the 21st century," Chaaban said in an interview. Anna Lee Williams, a 27-year-old community organizer and the first to announce her candidacy, echoed the outsider sentiment, saying, "I decided to run for office as a normal person who’s really frustrated with where our country is and where it’s been for the past 10 years." Both are joined by figures like Maplewood Township Committee member Dean Dafis, who would become New Jersey’s first openly gay representative in Washington if elected, Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, Chatham Borough Councilmember Justin Strickland, Morris Township Committee Member Jeff Grayzel, Obama White House alum Cammie Croft, and former Army paratrooper turned venture capitalist Zach Beecher. Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who also serves as New Jersey’s secretary of state, is rumored to be considering a run and has discussed the possibility with Murphy.
The issues animating the race are both local and national in scope. With the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies looming later this year, several candidates have made protecting these subsidies their top legislative priority. Without action, premiums for New Jerseyans who buy insurance through the ACA marketplace could spike as much as 175%, costing the average person an additional $2,700 annually. Cammie Croft, who worked on the passage of the ACA during her time in the Obama White House, has made lowering costs for families and ending corruption in Washington central planks of her campaign. "This administration is the most corrupt in modern history. They are getting wealthy at our expense, and that is increasing costs for us and working families," Croft told NBC News, vowing to end stock trading in Congress and the White House if elected.
Ethics reform is another hot-button issue. Chaaban and Croft have both called for a ban on congressional stock trading. "I would ban members of Congress from trading stocks. That would be my number one thing. I would co-sponsor that on day one," Chaaban told Gothamist. Malinowski, for his part, has faced scrutiny over this issue in the past. Bartlett, a voting rights lawyer, has made protecting the democratic process his top priority. "Democracy and the right to vote and the equal opportunity we all have just to participate in the process is what drives all the other conversations around affordability, around making sure that federal funds keep coming into our region for the things that we need," Bartlett said to Gothamist. He warned that "Trump and the MAGA Republicans have put those rights under real threat."
Standing up to former President Donald Trump is a unifying theme among the Democratic hopefuls. Gill put it bluntly: "We’ve got to stand up to Trump, period." Malinowski promised to conduct oversight of Trump’s tariff policies if elected, while Beecher cited recent threats made by Trump against Democratic lawmakers as evidence of the need for vigilance. Bartlett didn’t mince words either, stating, "Donald Trump is all about self-service, enriching himself and his cronies, while the rest of us struggle to get by. I’m about public service, and importantly, I’m ready for the fight ahead."
Fundraising has been robust, if not yet fully verified. Malinowski raised more than $500,000 in his first week after announcing, Bartlett matched that figure, Beecher pulled in $225,000 in just 36 hours, and Chaaban reported over $100,000 in a single day. The numbers point to a high-stakes contest with national implications, as Democrats test their message and mettle in a district that once symbolized Republican strength.
Governor Murphy, reflecting on Sherrill’s prior success, emphasized the importance of focusing on affordability, infrastructure, and "fighting in Washington and not rolling over." As the special election approaches, the 11th District’s voters are poised to decide not just who will represent them in Congress, but what direction the Democratic Party—and perhaps the country—will take in the years ahead.
With the field set and the issues clear, the race for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District promises to be a revealing contest of ideas, personalities, and the enduring tug-of-war between political insiders and outsiders.
