Morris Jewish Caucus Clarifies Why They Skipped CD-11 Endorsement

The Jewish caucus of the Morris County Democratic Committee did not endorse Rep. Analilia Mejia for her district, but chair Jason Navarino says that omission was not a sign of disapproval. Navarino issued a statement this week to clarify the group’s position after Republican challenger Joe Hathaway used the lack of endorsement to fuel his argument that Mejia is anti-Semitic.

Hathaway has claimed Mejia is anti-Semitic since the April special election. His case gained traction this week when it became clear the caucus did not include CD-11 in its list of supported candidates. On social media, Hathaway wrote, "Let that sink in. Her own party's Jewish caucus won't endorse her."

Navarino stated that the caucus chose to focus its attention on specific competitive House and county races, as well as local contests featuring strong Jewish candidates. He noted that the group did not prioritize a race where the Republican candidate, who supports MAGA, was overwhelmingly rejected by voters just months prior. Navarino said the caucus has no reason to expect a different result in the upcoming vote.

The chair emphasized that leaving CD-11 off the email should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Hathaway. Instead, Navarino argued that voting for Hathaway supports Speaker Mike Johnson and the Trump agenda, which he says undermines Jewish values and safety. He pointed to the administration’s plan to condition security funding for synagogues and Jewish schools on cooperation with ICE tactics as a key example.

Mejia opposes the current actions of ICE, while Navarino believes Hathaway’s presence in Congress would allow those actions to continue. A Democratic majority in Washington is necessary to correct the wrongs of the Trump administration, Navarino said.

The caucus’s statement aims to reset the narrative before voters head to the polls next week, ensuring that the absence of a formal endorsement does not define the race in Mejia’s favor or against her.