Democratic Race to Fill NJ Gov. Sherrill’s Seat Too Close to Call

A victory for candidate Analilia Mejia, the current leader in the vote, would represent a major upset for left-wing progressives in the district.

(Left) Democratic incumbent Rep. Tom Malinowski participates in a get out the vote event in Rahway, N.J., on Oct. 29, 2022. (Right) Analilia Mejia speaks during a rally calling for SCOTUS ethics reform in Washington on May 2, 2023. Spencer Platt/Getty Images;Joy Asico/AP Images for Center for Popular Democracy Action

The Democratic special primary election to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill remains too close to call, with a progressive candidate leading a former U.S. representative.

As of 5 a.m. ET, around 9 hours after polls closed, progressive candidate Analilia Mejia led former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski by roughly 0.8 percentage points, with 28.8 percent of the vote to Malinowski’s 28 percent, with 91 percent of the votes counted.