Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
12%
28%
5%
5%
Democrat
Brendan Gill
NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
$2.3M
JAN 1, 2027
Candidate standings
Live market pricing for the leading candidates in this election.
Overview
Current roleEssex County Commissioner (Commissioner-at-Large)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationNew Jersey
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BackgroundEssex County Commissioner (Commissioner-at-Large)
EducationSeton Hall University (attended; class of 1996 reported)
Notable personal detailsBrendan W. Gill is an Essex County Commissioner-at-Large in New Jersey and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. He previously served as an Essex County commissioner for District 5 and has held leadership roles including president of the Essex County Board of Commissioners and president of the New Jersey Association of Counties. He is a lifelong Essex County resident, born in Belleville and raised in Montclair, and attended Seton Hall University.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.govbrendanwgill.comassemblydems.comobserver.comen.wikipedia.orgthesetonian.comballotready.orginsidernj.comnewjerseymonitor.comaclu-nj.orgifpte.orgjstreetpac.org270towin.comjewishinsider.comvotehub.comreddit.comamericanwaterways.comgillfornj.comvillagegreennj.comrollcall.comessexnewsdaily.comnjlcv.orgclimateintegrity.orgyahoo.comnjtoday.newsexplorenewjersey.orgnjac.orgnewjerseyglobe.commontclairlocal.newsessexdems.orgballotpedia.orgfacebook.comnjdemocrat.substack.comdisclosures-clerk.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govcommons.wikimedia.orghistory.house.govgill.house.govclerk.house.govhouse.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports closing corporate tax loopholes and creating a fairer tax system that reduces advantages for large corporations; backs targeted revenue measures for public priorities (including a proposed Corporate Transit Fee on large corporate profits) and increased federal investment in infrastructure and programs to lower costs for working families and small businesses.
Healthcare
Supports restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies and lowering premium costs, and is open to broader reforms including a public option or Medicare for All. Advocates making healthcare more affordable and expanding access through government programs and policy changes.
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Immigration & Border
Supports limiting local participation in federal immigration enforcement, ending county contracts with ICE detention services, expanding legal and humanitarian protections for asylum seekers and refugees, funding pro bono legal aid for detainees, and pursuing pathways to citizenship for Dreamers.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports reproductive autonomy, has condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, and advocates for a constitutional amendment to codify a person’s right to make their own healthcare decisions regarding abortion.
Climate & Energy
Supports building a clean-energy economy and climate-resilient infrastructure, including electric buses and modern rail, and prioritizes investments to protect communities from severe storms and flooding while creating green jobs. Endorsed by state environmental groups and has championed local conservation and greenway projects.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports stronger gun-safety measures including vendor accountability, expanded background checks for private sales, and limits on armor-piercing rounds and large-capacity magazines; has chaired an Anti-Gun Violence Committee and backed state legislation limiting concealed-carry expansion. Positions emphasize reducing gun violence while enforcing regulations on sales and dangerous munitions.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Brendan Gill was one of the candidates in the NJ-11 Democratic primary, which was won by Analilia Mejia. The race is part of a special election in a district that has been shifting politically, with progressive candidates gaining ground. Gill was not the winner, and the latest coverage focuses on Mejia advancing to the April 16 special election.
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Polls
NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Brendan Gill for NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Labor organization
Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Analilia Mejia
Public figure
Analilia Mejia endorsed Brendan Gill in the New Jersey 11th Congressional District race.
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton
Public endorsement
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Former Congressman Tom Malinowski
Elected official
Former Congressman Tom Malinowski endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
The Family of the Late Congressman Bill Pascrell
Elected official
The family of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Maplewood Township Committee
Political organization
Maplewood Township Committee endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Dean Dafis
Public figure
Former NJ-11 congressional candidate Dean Dafis endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Essex County Democratic endorsement
Public endorsement
Essex County Democrats endorsed Brendan Gill for the NJ-11 Congressional race.
International Longshoremen's Association
Advocacy group
International Longshoremen's Association endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Governor Phil Murphy
Elected official
Governor Phil Murphy endorsed Brendan Gill in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Over Fifty Trailblazing Women Leaders
Public endorsement
Over Fifty Trailblazing Women Leaders endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
SMART Local 25
Labor organization
SMART Local 25 endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Essex County Democrats
Public figure
Essex County Democrats endorsed Brendan Gill for the NJ-11 Democratic primary.
N.J. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Public endorsement
N.J. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers endorsed Brendan Gill in the New Jersey 11th Congressional District race.
Teresa Ruiz
Public figure
Teresa Ruiz endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Four New Jersey DNC members
Political organization
Four New Jersey Democratic National Committee members endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1031
Labor organization
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1031 endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
Phil Murphy
Public figure
Phil Murphy endorsed Brendan Gill for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District special Democratic primary.
Hotel & Gaming Trades Council
Public endorsement
Hotel & Gaming Trades Council endorsed Brendan Gill for the New Jersey 11th Congressional District race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.1M
$850.6K
$567.1K
$283.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.1M
$14.4K
$1.1M
$74.7K
Source: FEC