Sanders hosts ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally with Mejia in NJ-11

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) visited New Jersey on Monday evening, providing support and a spotlight to Analilia Mejia, an ally now running for Congress in North Jersey. 

In a crowded 1,000-person theater at William Paterson University — with another 500 people in overflow areas outside — Mejia and Sanders offered a class-based, worker-minded brand of politics that they argue mainstream Democratic politicians fail to provide.

“In a moment of rising authoritarianism, of economic insecurity, of state-sanctioned violence, any old blue just won’t do,” Mejia said.

Sanders, a democratic socialist and perhaps this century’s most influential progressive politician, immediately backed Mejia’s campaign. Mejia, a former executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Party, worked in a top role on Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. She is one of 11 Democratic candidates looking to succeed Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district.

Monday evening’s rally was the 36th leg of the longtime senator’s “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour, which started last year. In a 40-minute speech, Sanders argued the country’s wealthiest individuals are standing in the way of healthy lives for Americans, driving up wealth disparity. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said that while President Donald Trump is dangerous, a reworking of the country’s economy is needed.

“When we stand together, not only are we going to defeat Trumpism, we are going to create the kind of nation and government that the American people deserve,” he said.

Sanders said Mejia, who could be among Congress’ most progressive members if elected, is prepared to fight more effectively than mainstream Democrats.

“We don’t just need Democrats, we need progressive Democrats who are prepared to stand up and fight,” Sanders said.

Several of the state’s top progressive and labor leaders joined the rally. Ana Maria Hill, the New Jersey State Director of 32BJ SEIU, called on outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy to sign a trio of bills that would bolster the state’s protection of immigrants — the demands echoed throughout the night. (Hours later, Murphy pocket vetoed two of the three bills.)

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a favorite of progressives after his second-place finish in the Democratic primary for governor last year, also warmed up the crowd. He disavowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and condemned wealth disparity as housing and medical costs rise.

“We know what we’re doing is right,” he told the crowd.

Sanders isn’t the only big-name endorser to visit the district during the sprint to Election Day. Outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy stumped for Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill on Sunday, and Senator Andy Kim and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) will visit former Rep. Tom Malinowski at an event next weekend.

The Feb. 5 primary election poses a major opportunity for progressives. For New Jersey’s reform-focused progressives, a Mejia victory would be further proof that county parties can be surmounted in a political landscape without the party line. For national progressives, a Mejia victory would be evidence that, even in one of the country’s wealthiest congressional districts, the Democratic base hankers for a change.

“What will happen in New Jersey will spread everywhere,” Mejia said. “This is the first contest of 2026. Let’s set the tone.”