An earlier version of this story reported Tom Malinowski as the winner of the CD-11 seat but that now appears in serious doubt as progressive organizer Analilia Mejia (photo by Fred Snowflack, above) made up significant ground to turn this special election into a nailbiter.

Right now, Mejia leads: 28.7 to 28.0% with 91% of the vote tallied, according to the Associated Press.

Sources say provisionals lean Mejia, which means the election is likely heading toward a recount as party sources described "through the roof" Democratic Party excitement.

AS OF THIS MOMENT, ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE CONTEST IS OFFICIALLY TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

Trying to overcome an upchuck of negative mail and TV and shake from his back the monkey of congressional redistricting that stranded him on the outside of the machine, former U.S. Rep. Malinowski appeared early to have prevailed tonight in the CD-11 Democratic Primary.

In a field crowded with 11 candidates, Malinowski - a former state department operative from the Obama Administration who flipped the CD-7 seat from red to blue in 2018 - tonight won the early vote and vote by mail and early appeared to be in a strong position to win - or place a close second - in Essex County.

Ultimately, he would lose Essex, however, to progressive organizer Mejia.

Early, money and name ID in a low turnout election appeared to be key factors in the former congressman's showing tonight as he maintained an early lead ahead of a special April general election showdown with Republican Joe Hathaway, who ran in an uncontested GOP Primary.

But Mejia penetrated late with a strong, progressive, grassroots campaign. The former SEIU 32BJ political director and head of Working Families interrupted what sources long described as a two-man race between Malinowski and Essex Commissioner Brendan Gill, an establishment Democrat. Party establishment insiders gaped over Mejia's late power play.

"When you combine the fact that Malinowski came into the race positioning himself as a progressive and between him and Mejia getting about 60% of the vote, that tells you a lot about what Democratic voters are looking for right now," said StimSight pollster Patrick Murray. "Really in a Democratic Primary turnout here is going to be lower than it would be in June, which would bring more establishment Democrats out, but it probably wouldn't change the outcome. This is a case of Democratic voters looking to take the fight to Trump."

This is for the vacant congressional seat formerly occupied by Mikie Sherrill, who left congress after winning the 2025 contest for Governor. From his perch as chairman of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee in his old congressional district, Malinowski backed Sherrill in last year's Democratic Primary.

The former congressman, who weathered scrutiny for his stock trading, proved the odd man out during the state's last congressional redistricting process. Losing critical Democratic towns in the 7th District, he subsequently lost his seat to Republican Tom Kean, Jr. in the 2022 election.

Tonight, he sought a comeback.

But Mejia won big late, likely making it an inconclusive contest tonight, but strongly positioned for victory.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka won Essex countywide for the second straight time. A Mejia backer, Baraka prevailed in his home county in last year's Democratic Primary for Governor.

AIPAC, which hurled the kitchen sink at Malinowski, proved one of the night's most obvious losers. The Essex County Democratic Committee, which backed Brendan Gill, didn't have a good night, either, as Mejia surged.

Tahesha Way, the former lieutenant governor, appeared to have overtaken Gill late and on the strength of her showing, intrigued party members whispered about her prospects as an LD-40 state senate candidate.