Voters in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District chose a replacement for Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday, with Democrat Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway as main contenders.
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Voters in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District cast ballots Thursday in a special election to fill the House seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill after her election to the governorship.
The race featured Democrat Analilia Mejia, the party's nominee, and Republican Joe Hathaway, the mayor of Randolph. Independent candidate Alan Bond also ran in the contest.
Hathaway made an unconventional appeal to voters during a candidate forum ahead of the election, framing the abbreviated term as a low-risk opportunity. "All you Democrats in the room, especially, you have an opportunity to test-drive a Republican for the next six months," he said during early voting. "You get to see how I handle, see how I hug the curves, see my gas mileage. Test me out. And if you don't like me, you can bring me back in November."
The candidates presented contrasting policy positions during the campaign. Hathaway emphasized tax relief for first-time homebuyers, citing the challenges of homeownership in New Jersey. Mejia highlighted healthcare and energy costs, stating that the loss of health care tax credits under Republican policies had driven healthcare costs up 175 percent in one year, and that the loss of energy tax credits had contributed to rising energy prices.
The Trump Administration's policies emerged as a focal point in the race. Hathaway indicated willingness to work with his party and the president on issues he deemed beneficial to the district, while Mejia's campaign centered on opposing what she characterized as harmful Republican policies affecting New Jersey residents.
The winner will serve the remainder of Sherrill's term, which extends only until the November general election, when the seat will be contested again in a full election cycle.
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