Mejia, Hathaway Clash at St. Elizabeth Debate on Medicare, Israel, Trump Ties

Rep. Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway met Monday night at St. Elizabeth University in Florham Park for a congressional debate that drew a few hundred people. The League of Women Voters sponsored the event, which was also streamed online.

Hathaway, in his opening statement, tied Mejia to the Democratic Socialists of America and said some of her statements sounded like they came from the Communist Manifesto. Mejia responded that Hathaway, if elected, would act as a rubber stamp for Donald Trump. Hathaway pointed to instances where he broke with the president, including Trump's attempt to stop the Gateway Tunnel. Mejia described herself as "a middle class mom," not a socialist or a radical.

Healthcare drew extended argument. Mejia said healthcare is a human right and supports a single-payer system, often called Medicare for All. Hathaway agreed costs need to drop but called the price of Medicare for All exorbitant and said it could lead to "rationing care." Mejia said raising taxes on corporations is one way to pay for it, adding, "This is about humanity, my friend."

The candidates also split on Israel. Hathaway said Mejia is anti-Semitic, an issue he said matters in a district with about 90,000 Jewish residents. Mejia denied the charge and said she has worked with her "Jewish brothers and sisters" throughout her career. She has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal while drawing a line between the Israeli government and Jews living in the United States. Hathaway noted Mejia voted against a bill intended to protect Jewish college students from threats tied to anti-Israeli activity; New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer co-sponsored it. Mejia did not address that vote during the debate but said afterward that First Amendment rights to speak out must be respected. On immigration, Hathaway said Mejia does not support deporting people in the country illegally who are accused of murder. She said Hathaway does not understand her views on immigration.

The crowd reacted throughout. When a Spanish-language translator spoke at the start, someone in the audience called out, "Speak English," prompting groans. Jeers followed Hathaway's mention of Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Senate candidate he said has ties to terrorism; Hathaway joked that his comment hit a nerve.

This was the second matchup between the two candidates. Mejia won an April special election against Hathaway by about 20 points. The seat opened when Mikie Sherrill became governor. The district covers parts of Essex, Passaic and Morris counties.