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Meet Analilia Mejia, the Sanders-AOC backed progressive who just won election to Congress

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2026

Analilia Mejia, a one-time labor organizer backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, is headed to Congress.

Mejia, running on a platform that emphasized Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage with the first $40,000 tax-free, a wealth tax, abolishing ICE and holding President Donald Trump and his administration accountable, convincingly defeated Republican candidate Joe Hathaway in Thursday’s special election in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

With her nearly 20-point victory, Mejia will fill the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the more moderate Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey’s gubernatorial election.

Mejia, who is likely to align herself with the so-called “Squad” of younger, diverse and progressive House Democrats, called herself the “sassy new member of Congress” in her victory speech.

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The special election came as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority. Republicans would have relished the opportunity to pick up the seat, but they faced a steep uphill climb to flip the suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year’s gubernatorial election.

Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was unopposed for the GOP congressional nomination, aimed to paint Mejia as too far to the left for the district. He told Fox News Digital the choice for voters was “between a common sense, practical independent leader who’s gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who’s running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology.”

“I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16,” an optimistic Hathaway predicted.

But Hathaway came up far short, given the rough political climate facing Republicans and the traditional headwinds for the party in power.

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Mejia, on Thursday night, pushed back against the claims she’s a radical.

“My opponent has spent his whole campaign calling me names and saying my ideas are too radical. But we know, that is a mind trick, on brand for a spin doctor, but easily countered if you just open your eyes,” Mejia said. “It is not radical to say that one of the wealthiest nations in the world should do more to protect the health of its people.”

Here’s a closer look at Mejia and where she stands on the issues.

Mejia was born in New Jersey and is the daughter of Colombian and Dominican immigrants.

After working as a union organizer, Mejia served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign. She later worked in the Department of Labor in former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Mejia pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out a more moderate rival, former Rep. Tom Malinowski, in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party’s left flank, the rest of the field divided the moderate and center-left vote.

Besides the backing of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, Mejia was also endorsed by other top progressive leaders, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

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Mejia’s nomination victory was another big boost for the left against the establishment since now-New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025.

Mejia repeatedly took aim at Trump’s unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration and called for scrapping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency most visible in the aggressive tactics used in the administration’s massive deportation effort.

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“I say abolish ICE now,” Mejia said on the campaign trail. “You can’t reform it. It’s not fixable. Get it out.”

After her primary victory, Mejia gave credit to her stance on immigration in the wake of backlash against the Trump administration following the January fatal shootings in Minnesota by federal agents of two U.S. citizens protesting immigration operations.

“I think the fact that I was bold and unafraid to speak the truth was incredibly important,” she told reporters. “I think voters feel that they want to have a representative that actually represents them, and they cannot watch what’s happening in Minnesota, what happened in Chicago, what happened in California, what happened in Morristown across this district.”

Mejia, like many on the left, has railed against rulings by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court has been captured by right-wing radicals who care more about doing Trump’s bidding than the rule of law,” Mejia charged on her campaign website.

She supported “articles of impeachment against Justices Thomas and Alito” for what she says is “their corruption and conflicts of interest.”

Mejia also backed “term limits for newly appointed Supreme Court justices, a binding code of ethics with real enforcement for all federal judges.”

And Mejia said she would support “expanding the courts if necessary to restore balance.”

On her campaign website, Mejia stated, “We’re going to cancel all student loan debt.”

And she pledges that she’ll “fight to make college tuition free at community colleges and trade schools for everyone.”

As part of her “economy for everyone agenda,” Mejia argued, “If you work 40 hours a week, you should make at least $40,000 a year, and you shouldn’t pay a dime in federal taxes on that first $40,000.”

And she highlighted that she helped lead the fight in New Jersey to “win the $15 minimum wage.”

“With the cost of living rising every day, it’s time to raise the minimum wage at the national level to $25/hour,” Mejia emphasized on the campaign trail.

Malinowski, an assistant secretary of state in former President Barack Obama’s administration who later represented a neighboring congressional district in northern New Jersey from 2018 to 2022 before losing re-election, was considered the front-runner in the Democratic nomination race heading into primary day.

But Malinowski was the target of a slew of attack ads put out by a group affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which opposed Malinowski because he said he supports conditions on aid to Israel.

The AIPAC-aligned super PAC United Democracy Project dished out more than $2.3 million to take aim at Malinowski, even though AIPAC had previously supported Malinowski in his past congressional elections.

But the AIPAC strategy backfired, because Mejia is much tougher on Israel than Malinowski.

Mejia was the only candidate in the race who raised her hand at a forum in January when asked if they agreed with human rights groups who charge Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Jewish voters make up a key part of the district’s electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the general election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

“She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7,” Hathaway said. “I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric.”

Mejia pledged to “protect the rights of Jewish constituents” and said her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said, “Joe Hathaway’s inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure.”

Mejia last week wrote that she was “honored” after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a “heel turn.”

Hathaway told Fox News Digital, “I’ve spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they’ve never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia … and her platform.”

It appears Hathaway was right: Some towns with heavy Jewish populations swung significantly to the right in Thursday’s election.

But it wasn’t nearly enough to help Hathaway blunt Mejia’s overall support.

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Top 2026 NFL Draft prospects reveal what teams will be getting if they call their name Thursday night

Published

47 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Addison Blake

The long wait is over, as the 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday night in downtown Pittsburgh with what’s expected to be quite the entertaining first round.

It’s a virtual lock that the Las Vegas Raiders, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to begin the draft in hopes he can be their franchise man for years to come. From there, the mock drafts are all over the place, which is always a sign for some fun, and even chaos, as the draft rolls along.

However, there are those who have cemented themselves as first-round talent entering Thursday night, whether it’s through the NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts, top-30 visits to different franchises, what they put on tape during their college careers, or all the above.

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Either way, the prospects have done all they can do — now it’s up to the teams to determine if they fit what they need to succeed.

Fox News Digital had the privilege of speaking to some of those potential first-round picks leading up to the start of the NFL Draft, and each of them was asked the same question: “What will an NFL team be getting from you if they were to call your name on draft night?”

Here are some of their answers:

OHIO STATE OLB ARVELL REESE: “I think an NFL team is going to get somebody who loves the game, who loves football. Then, they’re going to get somebody who plays the game violently. …On top of that, you have to play with relentless effort. So, I think an NFL team is getting that out of me — someone who plays with relentless effort, someone who looks forward to playing violently. You have to look forward to playing it violently.”

Reese is quite the physical specimen, standing running a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, and many experts believe he can still grow into his body and his game on the field. He was named an All-American in 2025, racking up 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss for the Buckeyes, though their season ended by the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Now, Reese heads into the draft looking at a potentially short night when the clock starts ticking. Some have him mocked to the New York Jets at No. 2 overall, and many believe he won’t be available when the top 10 picks are made. Either way, the edge rusher is viewed as an immediate impact player on the defensive line wherever he lands.

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OHIO STATE S CALEB DOWNS: “I would describe [myself] as a very instinctual player with a great mind for the game, but also all the physical attributes that you’re going to need. A player that, wherever you feel like the ball’s at, that’s where you want him to be. Put him at the [point of attack] and he’s going to do what he does.”

A defensive Swiss Army knife, Downs has simply made plays all throughout his college career, which began at Alabama before transferring to the Buckeyes and helping them win the 2025 national championship.

Like his Ohio State teammate in Reese, Downs isn’t expected to be available after the first 10 picks, but where exactly he lands remains to be seen. The New York Giants at No. 5 has been a popular spot, especially considering the comparison to Kyle Hamilton, whom John Harbaugh coached with the Baltimore Ravens before moving on to New York. But teams like the Washington Commanders (No. 7), New Orleans Saints (No. 8) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9) are also intriguing to watch, as is a potential trade.

Downs had 164 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 12 passes defended throughout 44 career college games, earning himself two All-American nods in the process during his time at Ohio State. If a team is looking for a versatile defender, who can excel no matter the assignment, Downs has positioned himself as that man in this draft.

ALABAMA QB TY SIMPSON: “I think it starts with my personality and how I can take over a locker room and a franchise. Aa s quarterback, you want to go in there, rally the troops, and be an influence to people there. So, every 30 visits, every time I talked to a team, every time I Zoom’d with them, I hoped to show my personality, my leadership, but also my ball knowledge and football IQ. The tap speaks for itself, but a guy who gets people to elevate their play around him is what you want in a quarterback. I fully feel like I can do that.”

Simpson’s confidence is what makes him who he is on the football field, whether it’s threading a pass through defenders to his intended target, or using his legs to pick up crucial yardage. He told Fox News Digital that his Christian faith plays a large part in playing confident and free, and he fully intends to bring that to whichever NFL franchise wants him.

Will that be in the first round? While Simpson has maintained his position that he has first-round talent, it will be interesting to see if an NFL team thinks the same through the first 32 picks. If he doesn’t get taken on Thursday night, many mock drafts believe he will be taken quickly on Friday, perhaps to the Arizona Cardinals, the team with the No. 3 overall pick in the first round, but also the second overall pick in the second round. The Jets are also intriguing with four picks in the top 44 (Nos. 2, 16, 33, 44).

Either way, Simpson is excited to hit the ground running and prove his worth to whichever franchise takes him this week.

TEXAS TECH LB JACOB RODRIGUEZ: “I think they’re about to get somebody who’s consistent. Somebody who is of great character and integrity, and somebody you want to put in a leadership position. I think it’s somebody, especially in the middle of the defense, can fire guys up to get them ready to play and have somebody who’s going to be steady. I’m really excited to get to wherever I get the privilege of living and playing in, but more excited to meet the people, meet my teammates and all the people I’m going to be around.”

Rodriguez wasn’t always the epitome of the modern day middle linebacker — he wanted to be a quarterback coming out of high school in North Texas. He initially went to the University of Virginia with that in mind before the Red Raiders believed he could make the switch to defense, as they saw him as a safety or middle linebacker.

The transition was worth the risk, as Rodriguez quickly developed into a defensive anchor for Texas Tech, and he truly elevated his game, and draft stock, during the 2025 season. Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Dick Butkus and Vince Lombardi Awards in 2025, while being named a unanimous All-American after racked up a career-high 128 combined tackles (11 for loss), four interceptions, one sack, six passes defended and two fumble recoveries, one of which he brought back for six points. His seven forced fumbles led all of college football through 14 games.

Rodriguez’s tape has gotten better by the season, and perhaps he’s not even at his best yet considering the position change. But there’s no questioning his speed, aggression, and high football IQ should translate in the NFL.

Will he be a first-round pick? That remains to be seen, but he shouldn’t last long in the second round as someone who has cemented himself a top prospect in this year’s draft class.

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The most intriguing teams and players of the 2026 NFL Draft’s first round

Published

47 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Addison Blake

The 2026 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET with the Las Vegas Raiders picking Fernando Mendoza to be their new franchise quarterback, but the intrigue doesn’t actually start until after that first pick is history.

That’s how this draft will play out. The first pick will go down as the draft’s signature moment, but the fireworks won’t be lit until later.

The maneuvering, complications, and curiosity, all of it, begin beyond the first selection.

The reason is this draft lacks the allure of multiple quarterbacks competing to go higher than the others. Only one QB beyond Mendoza has even a small chance of getting picked in the first round and that would likely require some of that maneuvering you just read about.

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This draft also lacks the draw of polarizing players such as Randy Moss back in 1998 or Shedeur Sanders a year ago, so finding heroes and villians will be difficult.

But this draft does offer touch points of high interest that will keep folks engaged. It offers drama about some teams and some individual prospects.

Let’s begin with the teams:

This draft actually begins when the New York Jets are on the clock at No. 2 and pick a player whose identity only three people in the organization – coach Aaron Glenn, general manager Darren Mougey and owner Woody Johnson — know with certainty.

That’s important, folks. Remember the Jets used to leak like century-old Bronx tenement pipes during the Robert Saleh regime. No more. The Jets are locked up tight, so even insiders aren’t sure if they’re going to pick Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

Or somebody else.

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The Arizona Cardinals are scheduled to pick at No. 3. And they might pick any number of players – running back Jeremiyah Love (if they’re smart), a right tackle, or a pass rusher.

But here’s the truth: The Cardinals want to trade down. Badly.

They want more picks and need more talent and the rumor league-wide is they’ve been leaking interest in Love so that a team that covets the dynamic running back offers them a trade.

Are you getting the drift here? This stuff is kind of interesting.

The fact is the Cardinals, Eagles, Chiefs, Saints, Browns, Bills, Titans Commanders and Seahawks have all been tied to trade-up or trade-down scenarios.

We can only hope for such mass chaos to punctuate this draft.

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And why are teams so willing to move around? Because there are players that come with great ability but also questionable reliability – a combination that makes teams want to trade down to hedge their bets.

Consider:

Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is probably the draft’s top offensive tackle prospect. He’s big, strong, tough, everything an NFL team wants in a bookend tackle.

He also comes into this draft with a herniated disc in his back.

Mauigoa was reportedly asymptomatic throughout the 2025 season and remains so now, but teams are aware that if his back acts up, he could require surgery. So, yeah, a significant potential risk.

Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson is a human injury list. He had a multi-ligament (ACL, MCL, PCL) knee tear in 2022, a broken collarbone in 2024, and hamstring issues much of last season.

Tyson is also a human highlight reel.

And those two traits make teams love him. And hate him. And not sure where to draft him in the first round.

Injury concerns are not the only reason some players will be fascinating to monitor during Thursday’s first round.

You can bet that if ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky gets any air time during the draft he’ll be advocating for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to be selected because there’s a bromance going on there.

Simpson is the other quarterback who might go in the first round. But he might not.

The Cardinals, of all teams, could be interested in him later in the first round. Simpson’s not a value pick at No. 3 because he only started 15 college games and even Nick Saban, who recruited him to Alabama, doesn’t think he’s ready for the NFL.

“He needs to go someplace where he has a chance to develop and not play right away,” Saban said on the Pat McAfee Show this week.

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There are rumors the Pittsburgh Steelers initially saw Simpson as player to park on their bench and let him learn behind Aaron Rodgers. It’s unclear where that thinking is now within an organization that doesn’t enjoy 100 percent certainty Rodgers will be playing in 2026.

Call that another chance for intrigue in the first round of this draft.

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Urban Meyer claims key injury cost Ohio State, had edge over 2018 Clemson champions

Published

47 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Addison Blake

The 2018 Clemson football team routed Alabama in that season’s College Football Playoff National Championship, cementing its place in the sport’s lore.

The undefeated season, punctuated by a 44-16 rout of Alabama in the title game, pushed the Tigers into the all-time great debate. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer argued another team was superior to Clemson that year, pointing to Nick Bosa’s 2018 injury as the key reason the Buckeyes fell short of a title.

“Nick Bosa is one of the best football players I’ve ever been around. I’d put Percy Harvin No. 1… maybe Nick Bosa No. 2. If Nick Bosa is playing for Ohio State (in) 2018, I think Ohio State wins it all. That’s how good a player he was,” Meyer said during a recent edition of “The Triple Option” podcast which he co-hosts with former Alabama standout Mark Ingram II and Rob Stone.

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Meyer acknowledged the logic behind preparing Nick Bosa for the NFL Draft but admitted the choice still stung as the Buckeyes chased a title.

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“He got hurt (in) game 3. When he was getting close to maybe be able to come back, they decided to get him ready for the NFL Draft… which that broke my heart. But I get it.”

Ohio State went 13-1 in 2018, with its only loss coming in Big Ten play against Purdue. The Buckeyes were left out of the playoff but rebounded with a Rose Bowl win over Washington in January 2019. Three months later, the San Francisco 49ers took Bosa No. 2 overall.

Clemson and Alabama built a pseudo title-game rivalry in the mid-2010s. After dominating Ohio State in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl semifinal, the Tigers edged Alabama for the championship, redeeming a 45-40 loss to the Crimson Tide to close the 2015 season.

Meyer also highlighted the depth of Ohio State’s 2018 defensive line, noting the presence of both Bosa and Chase Young.

“We had Chase Young and Nick Bosa (at defensive) end,” Meyer continued. “Our defense really struggled that year because Chase Young was hurt most of the year, and then Nick Bosa… he played three games and that was it. The offense was one of the top two (or) three offenses in the country.”

Meyer concluded by declaring that year’s Ohio State team “was a national title team.” Meyer won three national championships as a coach, winning twice at Florida and once at Ohio State.

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