Democrat Analilia Mejia projected to win special election for New Jersey House seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill

The Associated Press projected Democrat Analilia Mejia as the winner of the special election in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, seat formerly held by Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Mejia won Thursday against Republican Joe Hathaway and independent Alan Bond.

She will serve the remainder of Sherrill’s term, which ends in January. The district includes parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.

This seat has long been a Republican stronghold, but it has become increasingly Democratic since President Donald Trump’s first term. Voter registration records show Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district of more than 60,000 voters.

Shortly after being named the winner, Mejia addressed a cheering crowd of supporters in Montclair who shouted in unison with her that she was an “unbought, bossless, sassy new congresswoman.”

“We did the impossible and we won,” she said.

Program of Democrat Analilia Mejía

Mejia is a progressive who is the former head of the Working Families Alliance. She came out of a crowded Democratic field in February, when it held a very slim lead.

Mejia also worked for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as political director during his 2020 presidential bid. She is endorsed by him, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

She campaigned on populist economic policies and pushed for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some of Mejia’s priorities include taxing billionaires, raising wages and making child care and health care universal.

“I think we should ensure that not only do landlords have greater economic stability by making SALT tax deductions permanent, but we also need to ensure that renters have affordability. We are on track to have almost 40% of rental markets cornered by private equity firms,” ​​Mejia said.

Republican ads portrayed Mejia as a socialist — a question she was asked Thursday.

“I think my opponent is extremely desperate. The truth is he is playing fast and loose with the truth. I have been a 13-year county Democratic committeeman in this district,” she said. “I helped let the Democrats, I helped push for smart policy. And I think, you know, again, my opponent doesn’t have a track record worth running for. So instead he defaulted to disingenuous attacks.”

Please stay with CBS News New York for more on this developing story.