Analilia Mejia Calls on County Democratic Parties to Remain Neutral in NJ-11 Special Primary
GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Analilia Mejia, candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District, today sent a letter to Democratic county committee members in Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties urging them to remain neutral in the special primary election for the seat vacated by Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.
On Wednesday, the Essex County Democratic Committee suddenly announced a virtual convention on Tuesday, December 2, just one day after the petition filing deadline for candidates to get on the ballot and while many families are still traveling home from the Thanksgiving holiday.
“I would obviously love the support of my fellow Democratic committee members, but this should be a truly open primary without anyone putting their finger on the scale. The people of the 11th District deserve a real choice over who represents them,” said Analilia Mejia, congressional candidate and member of the Essex County Democratic Committee in Glen Ridge.
In the letter, Mejia urged county committee members to vote for their respective county party to remain neutral in the primary, arguing that it’s in the best interests of Democratic voters, candidates, and the party itself.
"Staying neutral in the primary is not only the small-'d' democratic thing to do but what's best for our Democratic Party,” Mejia states in the letter. “This would help our party build trust with alienated voters, preserve resources for the general election, and ensure that whoever wins has primary has actually earned the support of our base."
Mejia highlights how county party endorsements in a race for an open seat would undermine voter trust and perpetuate the kind of insider politics that has damaged the Democratic Party’s brand nationally.
"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. This is testament to how toxic the Democratic Party brand has become. It's why poll after poll shows that a whopping two-thirds of Democrats are frustrated with our party, and why we continue to lose winnable elections against radical Republicans like Donald Trump. 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," the letter continues.
The call for neutrality echoes recent reforms by the national Democratic Party aimed at rebuilding trust with voters. Mejia says it’s time for New Jersey to follow their lead.
“The national leadership of the Democratic Party deeply understands that we need to be more inclusive if we want to win, enacting reforms that require the party and its officers to remain neutral in primaries. It’s time for our state and county parties to do the same," Mejia states in the letter.
The special election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District was called following Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill's decision to vacate the seat. The special primary is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026.
