The Primary Win That Stunned Democrats Everywhere

"Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) is one of the more respected election forecasters, and as such, a flurry of outlets followed its call and crowned Malinowski, a former US House representative, the winner of the Democratic primary election. The North Jersey congressional seat is solidly Democratic-its previous representative, Mikie Sherrill, is now the governor of New Jersey-meaning that whoever emerged out of this primary would likely win the special election in two months' time. For a moment, it appeared as though that would be Malinowski."

"But within minutes of DDHQ's announcement, the call started looking shaky. The election-day returns from Morris County-a largely suburban county speckled with affluent neighborhoods-were expected to tilt toward Malinowski. But as the precinct results started trickling in, it became clear that those voters were actually turning out for Analilia Mejia, a stalwart of New Jersey's anti-establishment political orbit. After about 90 minutes, DDHQ retracted its projection."

Analilia Mejia defeated former US Representative Tom Malinowski in the Democratic special primary for New Jersey's 11th congressional district after an initial projection favoring Malinowski was retracted. Decision Desk HQ first projected Malinowski's win, but Morris County returns favored Mejia and DDHQ rescinded its call; Mejia secured a slim lead and Malinowski conceded days later. The district is solidly Democratic, making the primary victory tantamount to winning the special election. The result signals the rising strength of anti-establishment, grassroots progressive organizing in New Jersey. Decades of patronage and corporate-backed machine politics have been challenged by renewed democratic-reform organizing.

Read at The Nation