MORRIS COUNTY — Republican congressional candidate Joe Hathaway is calling on U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia to explain why she has not joined a group of Democratic lawmakers who recently signed a pledge distancing their party from socialism, according to a campaign statement released July 3.
The statement points to a “Promise to America” pledge, which several Democratic members of Congress and candidates unveiled declaring “We are capitalist, not socialist,” alongside statements of support for secure borders, safe communities, fiscal responsibility and effective government. Signers cited by the Hathaway campaign include U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York. Mejia’s name is not among them.
“The interesting story isn’t that Republicans disagree with Analilia Mejia,” Hathaway said in the statement. “It’s that even Democrats are now saying their party has gone too far. They’ve put their names on a pledge rejecting socialism, supporting safe communities, secure borders, and common-sense government. Congresswoman Mejia had the same opportunity to stand with our district, and she didn’t.”
Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilman and the borough’s immediate past mayor, said voters in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties are focused on cost of living, public safety and housing affordability rather than ideological labels.
“People are exhausted by politics that rewards the loudest activists instead of the families trying to make ends meet,” Hathaway said. “This election is about choosing practical leadership over political movements. That’s the kind of representative I intend to be.”
Mejia, a Glen Ridge Democrat, won the 11th District seat in an April special election to succeed Gov. Mikie Sherrill, defeating Hathaway by a wide margin. She has been backed during her political career by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and previously led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance. Both candidates are running again this November for a full term. Mejia’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Hathaway statement.
Hathaway has served on the Randolph Township Council since 2022. He lives in Randolph with his wife, Whitney, and their three children.
