Has the race yet been called? I would have ended up voting for Malinowski anyway, but Mejia is who I voted for in the primary, and would love to have in Congress. Fingers crossed!

If I had to decide today, I know who I'd choose; my guess is my choice won't prevail. (Sorry @stevenfulop.bsky.social - I supported you for gov.) I'm doing this guide for my own benefit, but I'm sharing if others in #NJ-11 may find it helpful. Gov-elect Sherrill is sworn in Jan 20. Good luck to her.

No candidate expressed a position on Gaza, which might be a political reality for NJ-11. None seemed outwardly pro-Israel either; that surprised me - I expected someone to claim the title. Depressingly, none rejected corporate donations. All are "fighters" and anti-Trump, but IMHO, perfunctory.

I have yet to review materials from: 5. Williams; 9. Croft; 11. Cauvin; 12. Strickland. My guess is that since I haven't received mail from these candidates, they are not well funded and may not realistically be viable. I will research to find out more.

10. Gill | Major points: affordability in housing, child care, utility, grocery costs; abortion rights; defend Social Sec/Medicaid; gun regulation; end Essex Co contract w/ICE. Positioned as Essex Co Democratic Comm candidate. Is current commissioner. No explicit rejection of corporate $ yet seen.

8. Beecher | Major points: lowering costs; fight for health care; protect democracy from Trump. Positioned as military (current reservist)/child of two working parents; parent of young child; solve problems. No explicit rejection of corporate money yet seen.

6. Malinowski @tommalinowski.bsky.social Endorsed: @kim.senate.gov Major points: universal healthcare; abortion rights; affordable housing; regulation of AI, social media, crypto. Positioned as experienced defender/Trump fighter. Former Congressman. No explicit rejection of corporate $ yet seen.

4. Way | Major points: lower healthcare costs/increase access; defend voting rights; childcare; education; good paying jobs. Positioned as Trump/cronyism fighter, anti-ICE raids. Is Lt Governor. No explicit rejection of corporate $ yet seen. All mailed materials courtesy DLGA PAC/none from campaign.

3. Grayzel @grayzelforcongress.bsky.social Major points: defend ACA, SNAP, Medicaid, Social Sec; "get ICE and the National Guard off our streets"; lowering costs. Positioned as common sense fighter for democracy and against fascism, anti-Semitisim/hate. No explicit rejection of corporate $ yet seen.

2. Bartlett: @johnwbartlett.bsky.social Major points: voting rights; reduce costs: healthcare, housing, utilities; public healthcare option. Positioned as a pugnacious fighter/bread & butter issues. Is "voting rights lawyer" and county commissioner. No explicit rejection of corporate money yet seen.

1. Mejia: @analiliafornj.bsky.social Endorsed: @sanders.senate.gov, @rasjbaraka.bsky.social. Major points: $25/hr min wage; nat'l paid sick time; abolish ICE; ban Congress stock trade. Positioned as populist progressive. I haven't seen explicit rejection of corporate $ yet; will keep looking.

They're just dragging at this point. I'd only be shocked if Trumplestiltskin *didn't* sue.

PS - Issues of substance (for me): municipality consolidation to lessen property taxes; election reform to get anonymous money out of campaigns and undo preferential treatment for establishment and incumbent candidates; concrete commitment to improving NJ Transit. I wish you success.

In the meantime, I'll be contacting my state legislators to discuss improving voting, and keeping an eye on your campaign to see if you can persuade me (and others like me who are unenthusiastic about this race) to show up on Election Day. Sincerely, Philip O'Neill, Maplewood NJ (NJ-11).

I have no interest in electing your Republican opponent, and will not vote for him. However, as governor, neither of you would be very effective regarding Trump's agenda. (Ciattarelli promoting, you opposing) Don't bank on anti-Trump sentiment alone to drive voter enthusiasm.

I think your primary win may be related to the system of voting we have in New Jersey. Today, I see the results coming from the NYC mayoral primary, and feel like we need ranked-choice voting here too. I would be more confident in your candidacy if you had won that way.

With around a third of the *primary* vote - historically underwhelming numbers - I hardly consider your win a mandate. I encourage you and your campaign to find ideas and messages with substance that connects with voters, not simply anti-Trump-bandwagon bloviating.

I found your campaign rhetoric without much substance. I did not vote for you in our primary; I supported @stevenfulop.bsky.social based on his debate performance, his passion, and his ideas. Among the debaters, I ranked you right in the middle of the pack.

@repsherrill.bsky.social As my representative in Congress, will you be doing anything to rally resistance among your constituents? Are you joining any demonstrations locally or in DC? I hope you do, and I look forward to seeing you at one.