Overview

Analilia Mejia was born in 1978 or 1979 and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her mother is Colombian and worked as a seamstress; her father is Dominican and worked as a laborer. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Rutgers University in 2000, a Master of Public Policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in 2002, and a Master of Science in Labor Relations from the School of Management and Labor Relations in 2003.

Mejia began her career in the labor movement, serving as an organizer for the United Food and Commercial Workers and as assistant political director for the UNITE HERE Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board. She later served as political director for the Property Services Division of SEIU International and as assistant political director for SEIU Local 32BJ.

She entered New Jersey electoral politics in 2012 as Latino and Labor Vote Director for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez's reelection campaign. From 2014 to 2019 she served as executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance. She served as national political director for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In 2021 she was appointed deputy director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau in the Biden administration.

Political Career

Organizer, United Food and Commercial Workers

Assistant Political Director, UNITE HERE Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board

Political Director, Property Services Division, SEIU International

Assistant Political Director, SEIU Local 32BJ

Latino and Labor Vote Director, Bob Menendez for Senate (2012)

Executive Director, New Jersey Working Families Alliance (2014–2019)

National Political Director, Bernie Sanders for President (2020)

Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau (2021–2023)

Co-Executive Director, Center for Popular Democracy (2023–present)

Democratic nominee for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District special election (2026)

Key Policy Areas

Labor rights and union organizing

Minimum wage increase to $25 per hour

Universal healthcare

Immigration reform and abolition of ICE

Affordable housing and tenant protections

Childcare and education affordability

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Named a White House Champion of Change in 2015

Led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance in advocating for paid sick leave and minimum wage increases at the state and local levels

Managed nationwide political operations for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign

Won the Democratic primary for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District on February 5, 2026, defeating former Representative Tom Malinowski by approximately 900 votes

Received endorsements from U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Andy Kim; Governor Mikie Sherrill; and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna during the 2026 campaign

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, Rutgers University, 2000

Master of Public Policy, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, 2002

Master of Science in Labor Relations, School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, 2003

Personal

Birth date: Not publicly available

Residence: Glen Ridge, New Jersey