Politics & Government
NJ-11 Debate Between Mejia, Hathaway: 5 Things To Know
What did they spar over? Who "won" the debate? And who is Alan Bond? Here's an update on the race to replace Mikie Sherrill in Congress.
Analilia Mejia and Joe Hathaway matched up for a battle of wits on Wednesday in what is likely the only debate for the congressional election in New Jersey’s 11th district.
When Mikie Sherrill was elected governor, she was required to resign from her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. A special primary election was held in February to determine the Democratic and Republican nominees to fill her unexpired seat. Mejia won the Democratic Party nod, and Hathaway earned the GOP endorsement.
Mejia and Hathaway will match up against independent candidate Alan Bond in a special general election for all the marbles on April 16.
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The district includes several towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.
After a disagreement about a previous proposal, Mejia and Hathaway settled on a debate sponsored by the New Jersey Globe and the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider University. Bond was not invited to participate, but shared some of the replies he would have given (read them below).
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Watch the debate here, via the New Jersey Globe.
Here are five things to know about the April 1 matchup between Hathaway and Mejia.
THE ISSUES
Topics that made the debate included the cost of living, the military, immigration and the Trump administration. Statements made by Mejia and Hathaway included:
Affordability
Hathaway – “I think in order for us to make life more affordable here, it has to start with lowering costs. That’s why just about everything in our platform is about lowering the role of government, lowering taxes to help make life more affordable… What we don't need right now when it comes to affordability are platforms and ideas like socialized medicine and socialized education that is going to raise spending by trillions and trillions of dollars, which is what [Analilia Mejia’s] platform will do to working families in our district.”
Mejia – “My opponent will speak a nice game about affordability, but in fact, Republicans like himself and Donald Trump have been driving your economic instability… Here's the truth. Your health care costs are up 174% because Republicans repealed the ACA tax credits. Your energy costs are up by 6% because Republicans cut energy tax credits… Republicans throw around tariffs like Mardi Gras beads or jack up prices or allow monopolies to happen, and you pay the price.”
Iran War and Military
Hathaway – “Look, if we're talking specifically about Iran, I've been clear on this from day one. I am of the opinion under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to have a nuclear weapon or have the capabilities to create a nuclear weapon. I would love to see diplomacy work if our military believes that action was needed to ensure that that doesn't happen. And I support it… I certainly don't want to see us have to put boots on the ground. I think we're doing a very effective job through the air and it's important because our allies in Israel are at stake. It's American lives that are at stake.”
Mejia – “I think the American people are disgusted at spending a billion dollars on an illegal war and driving up their gasoline prices 50%... I wouldn't support illegal and endless wars. I wouldn't support to go into war without a plan to keep Americans safe. I wouldn't support the idea of just bumbling in like we have now. Here's what we need to be able to defend. We have to make sure that we're upholding democracy, that we're upholding the safety of the American people, and that we are standing with our allies… I believe that we have to fight nuclear threat. But more bombs do not equate peace.”
Immigration and ICE
Mejia – “I believe the United States has oversight on our immigration policy and should continue to do so. But we shouldn't militarize our police because we create other problems. Immigrants are then afraid to report crimes and that leads to greater insecurity. We shouldn't have armed thugs that are have such immunity that they act with impunity shooting American people. We need to have the kind of system that we have had in the past where you have border enforcement and you have a system that actually allows people to integrate into our society instead of trafficking in hate and violence… This is not the America that we want to live in.”
Hathaway – “We can't rule with ideology. We have to rule with practicality. We have to come to the table with ways to make ICE operate more effectively. Better training. Better security. De-escalation techniques. These need to happen and they'll be able to do their very important job much safer if we do. But we also need local law enforcement to be playing a role here in New Jersey with our sanctuary city laws. Our local law enforcement can't even speak to federal agents or federal officers when they're going about their business. They can't say, ‘Hey, listen. When you go into that house, there's an older brother with autism. Be careful when you go in there, know what’s going on.’ Our Democrats in this state have disallowed for that to happen. And we have the resources to keep people safe and allow the federal government to do their job.”
Trump
Hathaway – “I'm not going down to be a rubber stamp for my party or for any president or for any squad. It's about putting the people of district first. I've done it as mayor. I’ll do it for the people of NJ-11.”
Mejia – “I want you to remember Joe Hathaway voted for Donald Trump three times and he wants you to send him to Congress so he could vote with him every single day.”
ANALILIA MEJIA: ‘HE’S A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING’
Mejia released a statement after the debate, criticizing Hathaway and attempting to portray him as a “rubber stamp for [President Donald] Trump.”
“Voters saw exactly what’s at stake in this race, and the contrast couldn’t be clearer,” Mejia said.
“People are tired of the bullying, the chaos, and a political system that works for everyone except them,” she continued. “While I was laying out how we un-rig the rules and hold this administration accountable, my opponent’s anger and inability to hold this administration accountable showed. Joe Hathaway spent an hour trying to convince people he's not going to be a rubber stamp for Trump.”
“I’m fighting to expand affordable housing, lower health care costs, and deliver real results,” Mejia said. “My opponent weakened affordable housing, supports the law that kicked 350,000 New Jersey residents off their health care, and would bring more of the same chaos.”
“He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and voters saw through it tonight,” Mejia alleged. “He'll say yes to Trump every single time, and on Election Day, this district is going to say no.”
JOE HATHAWAY: ‘SHE’S TOO RADICAL FOR THIS DISTRICT’
Hathaway’s campaign team also released a post-debate statement, claiming victory against his “democratic socialist” opponent.
“Throughout the debate, [Joe] Hathaway outlined a forward-looking vision focused on affordability, public safety and pragmatic leadership, while drawing sharp contrasts with Mejia’s record and policy positions,” the statement read.
The Republican candidate’s campaign team accused Mejia of accepting campaign funds from antisemitic sources, being a “professional agitator” as the leader of the New Jersey Working Families Party, supporting the defunding of police, and pushing for fiscal policies that would “cost Americans trillions in new spending and taxes.”
“What you heard this afternoon was a very clear difference between common sense, practical leadership, and a dangerous socialist agenda from Ms. Mejia who is more beholden to the far-left wing of her party,” Hathaway said.
“This debate showed us why she had refused multiple opportunities to debate up until this point, and it's because her record is too radical for this district, and she knows it,” Hathway added. “We are confident voters will make the right choice on April 16.”
ALAN BOND: ‘HERE’S WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID’
A third candidate, Alan Bond, is running as an independent in the special election, but wasn’t invited to participate in the debate.
Bond, a former investment banker, holds an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and completed graduate studies at Harvard Business School. His campaign platform is focused on “economic opportunity, education, health care and community safety.” Learn more about his background and plans if elected here.
Bond shared a list of the answers he would have given if invited to the debate with Patch. They included:
Affordability – “Affordability is the number one issue I hear from families across New Jersey’s 11th District. People are doing everything right and still falling behind. My approach is practical: reduce federal tax pressure on middle-income households, protect Social Security and Medicare, lower prescription drug costs through competition, and invest in infrastructure like the Gateway Tunnel that strengthens regional employment. Washington needs fewer slogans and more results that lower real household expenses.”
Authorization of Military Force – “Sending American troops into combat is one of the most serious votes a member of Congress can make. I would support deployment only when U.S. national security is directly threatened, when objectives are clearly defined, and when diplomacy and sanctions have been exhausted. Our service members deserve leadership that treats that decision with the gravity it requires.”
Immigration Enforcement – “We need secure borders and a lawful immigration system, but we also need policies that reflect American values. Immigration enforcement should remain a federal responsibility carried out professionally and transparently. Congress should strengthen the legal immigration process, increase immigration court capacity, and ensure enforcement is focused on safety — not fear. Security and dignity can exist together.”
“Across Morris, Essex and Passaic counties, I hear the same concerns: affordability, infrastructure, public safety and restoring confidence in government,” Bond said.
“Families are working harder but finding it more difficult to keep up with rising costs,” Bond added. “Commuters need reliable transportation investments like the Gateway Tunnel. Seniors want Social Security protected. And voters want practical leadership instead of political division.”
VOTER INFO
Election Day is Thursday, April 16. Early voting is underway. Learn more about voting in New Jersey, and find polling places/ballot drop box locations here.
As of April 1, there were 229,561 registered Democrats, 164,954 Republicans and 203,543 unaffiliated voters in the 11th district.
New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:
Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell
Morris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens
Passaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park
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