NJ progressive Analilia Mejia accused of dodging in-person debates before special election

A progressive House candidate backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is under fire for avoiding in-person debates with her Republican opponent ahead of the April special election, sparking accusations that she is reluctant to defend her far-left platform to voters.

Republican candidate Joe Hathaway is criticizing his Democratic opponent, Analilia Mejia, for agreeing to a virtual debate — after repeatedly turning down a series of face-to-face opportunities. The candidates are scheduled to participate Wednesday evening in a live virtual forum sponsored by the New Jersey Globe.

“Unfortunately, when my opponent dodges and lies about the debates, it limits the opportunity for a face-off to two weeks before the election,” Hathaway said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “For now, she can hide behind a screen, but she can’t hide from her file.”

The winner of the special election will fill a vacant seat left by Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., who resigned after winning the state’s gubernatorial race in 2025. The outcome will be closely watched because of its potential impact on the razor-thin majority of House Republicans.

Then-progressive activist Analilia Mejia speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on April 19, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Hathaway’s harsh criticism comes after Mejia repeatedly declined debate opportunities with Hathaway that he had agreed to, the Hathaway campaign told Fox News Digital.

Proposed debates sponsored by Montclair High School, On New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson University and New Jersey Spotlight News ultimately fell through after Mejia did not accept the invitations, according to the Hathaway campaign.

Mejia, who narrowly upset a large field of challengers in February’s Democratic primary, also faced backlash for appearing to misrepresent why she withdrew from a separate debate with local chapters of the left-leaning League of Women Voters.

The New Jersey Democrat said she rejected the debate invitation — co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey — because the group was “unable to commit” to having a person of color as moderator.

The women-led group fired back in a statement accusing Mejia of lying, saying their intended moderator would have been a person of color. Mejia’s main objection was not being able to control the selection process herself, according to the group.

Republican candidate Joe Hathaway sharply criticized Democrat Analilia Mejia for avoiding an in-person debate ahead of the April 16 special election. (Joe Hathaway campaign; Heather Khalifa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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“We were asked to provide a campaign with a list of potential moderators for approval,” Jennifer Howard, president of LWV, said in a statement. “This is a request that the League of Women Voters cannot respond to. Our non-partisan position does not allow a candidate to influence the choice of moderator.”

Hathaway, a Randolph City Council member who faces an uphill battle to win the Democratic-leaning district, criticized Mejia for withdrawing from the planned debate.

“If she’s willing to lie about something as simple as a debate, what other lies can we expect to hear from her tomorrow?” Hathaway told Fox News Digital.

“We will show a clear contrast between the practical and sensible direction that I support and the dangerous, radical and socialist policies of my opponent,” he added.

When asked for comment Monday, a Mejia campaign spokesperson said, “Joe Hathaway is just complaining. We’ll see him tomorrow.”

Analilia Mejia embraced the “Abolish ICE” movement during her congressional campaign. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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The Mejia campaign previously told Fox News Digital that it agreed to the New Jersey Globe debate because the outlet met its diversity requirements and was closely following the race.

Mejia, a staunch progressive who served in a leadership role in Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a vocal critic of Israel.

The winner of the special election will face voters again in November for a full two-year term.