Fourteen Candidates Vie for NJ-11 Special Election Ballot

The special election for New Jersey’s 11th congressional district is shaping up with a substantial candidate field. Following Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s resignation last month, the election has attracted significant attention. Thirteen Democrats and one Republican are competing for the seat, marking the largest primary field for a New Jersey House seat in several years.

Democratic Candidates for NJ-11 Special Election

Of the thirteen Democrats who successfully filed to appear on the ballot, most exceeded the minimum requirement of 500 signatures. This year saw the threshold increase from 200 to 500, making this election notable for its new requirements.

• Brendan Gill – Essex County Commissioner (1,700 signatures)
• Analilia Mejia – Bernie Sanders’ 2020 political director (1,509 signatures)
• Tom Malinowski – Former Congressman (1,501 signatures)
• Tahesha Way – Lieutenant Governor (1,280 signatures)
• Justin Strickland – Chatham Councilman (1,110 signatures)
• Anna Lee Williams – Activist (1,089 signatures)
• Jeff Grayzel – Morris Township Committeeman and former Mayor (1,042 signatures)
• Zach Beecher – Former Army paratrooper (999 signatures)
• John Bartlett – Passaic County Commissioner (990 signatures)
• Cammie Croft – Former Obama administration official (948 signatures)
• Marc Chaaban – Former congressional staffer (849 signatures)
• Dean Dafis – Maplewood Committeeman and former Mayor (719 signatures)
• J-L Cauvin – Comedian and attorney (619 signatures)

One candidate, Donald Cresitello, the Morristown Mayor, attempted to run but failed to meet the signature requirement. He submitted fewer than 200 signatures and was thus disqualified. Cresitello’s previous attempt to delay the filing deadline was rejected by the court.

Republican Candidate

On the Republican side, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway enters the race with 1,627 signatures. Prior to filing, he had already consolidated support within the local GOP, and no significant opposition emerged during the process.

Election Dates and Important Deadlines

The primary election for the NJ-11 seat is set for February 5, while the general election will take place on April 16. In New Jersey, candidates not affiliated with the two major parties have until primary day to submit their petitions for the general election ballot.

Objections to any candidate’s petitions can be filed until December 5, with all challenges needing resolution by December 10. Essex County Democrats will announce their endorsement tomorrow, and Morris Democrats are set to do so on December 14.

Notably, many candidates are currently without official ballot slogans, anticipating upcoming county conventions that will assign these slogans for the election.