Former Lieutenant Gov. Tahesha Way won’t run for the 11th congressional district again this year, ending more than a month of speculation and likely giving Analilia Mejia a clear path to the Democratic nomination for a full term.
In a statement posted to social media, Way said she is “not going anywhere,” but has decided against a second campaign for now. Her statement does not mention the progressive Mejia, who is likely to win a partial term in Congress next month.
“Since the special primary, I have been deeply humbled by the outreach of so many who encouraged me to run in the June primary for Congress in NJ-11,” she said. “After many conversations with my family, who are my greatest calling, I have decided that this is not the right moment for another campaign.”
A former New Jersey Secretary of State who served as the state’s #2 for two years, Way was one of 11 Democrats who competed in the February 5 special primary to replace Gov. Mikie Sherrill. She began that campaign as an underdog, but heavy spending from several outside groups – particularly the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which directly attacked one of her top opponents and indirectly funded a pro-Way group – pushed her into the top tier.
Way ultimately finished in third place behind Mejia, who narrowly won in what was considered a substantial upset, and former Rep. Tom Malinowski, whom AIPAC had targeted for defeat. Discussions quickly began about whether Way, perhaps with the support of AIPAC and moderate Democrats skeptical of Mejia, would try again in the June regularly scheduled primary, and sources close to Way said she was considering it.
Way’s deliberations went on for close to two months, but she never took any concrete steps towards a campaign, allowing Mejia to consolidate support from New Jersey’s Democratic establishment. All three of the 11th district’s county parties, none of which supported Mejia in the special primary, have endorsed her campaign for a full term, as have nearly all of the state’s Democratic members of Congress.
With Way taking her name out of contention, it’s hard to imagine another prominent Democrat stepping up to run before tomorrow’s filing deadline. None of Mejia’s other vanquished foes from February have shown much outward interest in another campaign, and Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie (D-Livingston) took her name out of contention after briefly floating a bid in February.
(Some Mejia-skeptical Democrats believe Mejia may be more vulnerable in the 2028 primary for the seat, when she’ll presumably have a progressive voting record under her belt, though it’s far too early to know whether that speculation will amount to anything.)
One little-known Democrat, Montville tech engineer Joseph Lewis, announced his campaign prior to the special primary and filed last week to make the ballot.
“I’m running for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District because our families deserve a representative who will work everyday to make their lives better,” Lewis says on his campaign website. “It’s time to move beyond the distractions and focus on what really matters – making life more affordable, improving opportunity, and delivering results.”
Mejia still faces one other hurdle before reaching the June primary: the April 16 general election against GOP nominee Joe Hathaway. The 11th district leans strongly towards Democrats and Mejia is seen as the heavy favorite – her campaign released an internal poll last week showing her leading by 17 points – though Hathaway is running a far more credible campaign than some prior GOP candidates for the seat.
