NPR
Analilia Mejia talks about special primary win and the future of the Democratic Party
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+ By
− NPR's
+ ,
Destinee
− Michel
+ Adams
Analilia
− Martin
+ Mejia,
− asks
+ Co-Executive Director of Center for Popular Democracy, speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol calling for immediate resignation of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas on April 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide
+ caption
− Mejìa
+ Mejia,
− what
+ former political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, declared victory in a closely watched Democratic primary special election to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. She credits
+ success to addressing national issues with New Jerseyans.
"While my race was very much local — I was knocking on doors, I was making phone calls, I was at train stations — the discussions we were having were both local and national," Mejia told Morning Edition
Last Thursday, Mejia led by a narrow margin as polls closed in the district, and former congressman Tom Malinowski conceded earlier this week. Some mail-in ballots are still being counted, and the Associated Press has not yet made a call in the race.
The crowded special
− opponent's
+ race
− concession
+ — one of the first elections
− New
+ a
− Jersey's
+ year
− 11th
+ filled
− Congressional
+ with
− District
+ midterm
− means
+ races — attracted national interest, as Democrats are trying to figure out the best way to win over voters and speak to their dissatisfaction with President Trump's second-term.
"There is a national movement happening in our country," Mejia said. "The American people can see that there is a democratic backslide. The American people can feel that our economy is leaving us behind. The American people also feel like our traditional politicians' response feels anemic — feels like we're not actually being heard."
Mejia concluded that the conversations she had with voters felt "live"
+ people, who want to hold elected officials accountable.
NPR's Michel Martin spoke with Mejia about
− Democratic
+ success
− Party.
+ of her campaign running as an outsider.
Click the play button in the blue box above to listen to the full conversation.