Analilia Mejia

Analilia Mejia is an American politician and activist currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she assumed office in April 2026 after winning a special election to fill the vacancy left by Mikie Sherrill, who was elected governor of New Jersey. Mejia has a background in labor advocacy and political organizing, having held various leadership roles in labor unions and progressive organizations prior to her election to Congress. She is known for her progressive stance on issues such as healthcare, education, and labor rights.

Early life and career

Analilia Mejia was born on August 19, 1977, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She is the daughter of immigrants, with her mother hailing from Colombia and her father from the Dominican Republic. Mejia's early life was marked by economic hardship, as her family faced poverty during her childhood. Her father worked in a sewing machine factory, while her mother initially held an undocumented status and worked in a garment factory. The family's circumstances improved when her mother secured a job in a union-affiliated factory in New York, which contributed to their economic stability.

Mejia pursued her education at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative literature in 2000. She continued her studies at the same institution, obtaining a Master of Public Policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in 2002, followed by a master's degree in labor relations and education from the School of Management and Labor Relations in 2003.

Following her academic achievements, Mejia began her career as an organizer with the United Food and Commercial Workers. She later served as the political director for SEIU Local 32BJ, which represents building service workers, and worked as the assistant political director at UNITE HERE in Chicago, a union representing hospitality workers. In 2012, she played a significant role as the Latino/Labor Vote Director for Bob Menendez's campaign during the United States Senate election in New Jersey.

In 2014, Mejia became the executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, an organization affiliated with the Working Families Party that advocates for progressive policies. Her involvement in politics deepened when she served as a delegate for Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. By 2019, she transitioned to a national role as the political director for Sanders's 2020 presidential campaign. Following the campaign, Mejia was appointed as the deputy director of the United States Women's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor during the Biden administration. She is currently the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, a nonprofit organization focused on progressive advocacy.

House tenure

Mejia announced her candidacy for the special election in New Jersey's 11th congressional district on November 25, 2025, after Mikie Sherrill vacated the seat to become governor. In a competitive Democratic primary, she faced 10 other candidates, including notable figures such as former U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski and former Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. Mejia positioned herself as a progressive candidate, receiving endorsements from prominent figures such as Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. During her campaign, she participated in rallies, including one in Wayne, New Jersey, as part of Sanders's Fighting Oligarchy tour.

The special primary election took place on February 5, 2026. Initially, the election was called for Malinowski based on early vote counts; however, as more votes were tallied, Mejia overtook him. Following a concession from Malinowski on February 10, various news outlets confirmed Mejia's victory, with the Associated Press officially declaring her the winner on February 12. Mejia subsequently won the general election on April 16, 2026, defeating her Republican opponent, Joe Hathaway, by a significant margin. She was sworn into office on April 20, 2026.

Legislative focus and committees

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mejia has focused on a range of progressive issues. She advocates for universal healthcare coverage, commonly referred to as Medicare for All, and supports initiatives aimed at making public college tuition-free and providing student loan forgiveness. Mejia is also a proponent of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which aims to strengthen labor rights and expand protections for workers.

In addition to her focus on healthcare and education, Mejia has called for a nationwide minimum wage of $25 and has emphasized the need for affordable housing and tenant protections. She has expressed concerns regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence data centers and the influence of large technology companies.

During her campaign for the special election, Mejia highlighted her commitment to addressing issues of affordability and immigration. She has advocated for the abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and has voiced opposition to what she describes as rising authoritarianism. Mejia has also made statements regarding international issues, particularly her views on the situation in Gaza.

As of now, Mejia is in her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is set to conclude on January 3, 2027. She is expected to face her previous opponent, Joe Hathaway, again in the upcoming full-term elections scheduled for November 2026. Throughout her career, Mejia has demonstrated a commitment to progressive values and labor advocacy, reflecting her background and experiences in her legislative priorities.