Prediction Edge
Democrat
Tahesha Way

Tahesha Way

Overview

Current roleFormer Lieutenant Governor

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyMainstream Democrat

GenderFemale

LocationNew Jersey

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BackgroundAttorney

EducationBrown University (BA, English and American literature)

Notable personal detailsTahesha Way is an American attorney, jurist, and politician from New Jersey. She served as New Jersey Secretary of State from 2018 to 2026 and was appointed Lieutenant Governor in September 2023, concurrently holding the Secretary of State role. She previously served in Passaic County government and worked as an administrative law judge.

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Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports policies to lower costs for working families including cutting junk fees and raising the cap on SALT deductions; emphasizes keeping services and affordability without raising taxes and protecting programs seniors rely on. Positions focus on making New Jersey more affordable through targeted reforms rather than broad tax cuts.

Healthcare

Supports protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, defending programs relied on by seniors, reducing prescription drug costs, and ensuring access to reproductive health care. Emphasizes making health care accessible and affordable for New Jersey families and protecting individuals’ ability to make their own health care decisions.

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Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports access to reproductive health care and says she will work to ensure women have access to reproductive healthcare. Positions emphasize protecting fundamental freedoms including reproductive health as part of her duties in state office and campaign. No explicit public statement found committing to unrestricted abortion access or to codifying Roe v. Wade.

Climate & Energy

Tahesha Way has supported state-led clean energy and energy-resilience initiatives, including administering grants for alternative/independent energy projects for community organizations and endorsing resiliency and clean-energy programs as part of her duties. Her public statements in official roles emphasize advancing clean energy projects and collaborating with environmental organizations to address climate threats and community resilience.

Public Safety & Guns

Tahesha Way, as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and a member of the Murphy administration, has supported state efforts to reduce gun violence through law enforcement coordination, community violence intervention programs, and measures described as keeping guns out of the hands of bad actors. She has publicly framed recent declines in shootings as the result of administration policies and has criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision for loosening restrictions on carrying firearms in public.

News

AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026

Tahesha Way was one of the candidates in New Jersey’s 11th District Democratic primary, which was won by Analilia Mejia. The race is part of a special election that reflects a broader shift in the district toward progressive and anti-Trump politics. The latest reports do not give any separate major development about Way beyond her role in the primary.

fec.gov+44

Polls

NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
5%
28%
12%
5%
Tahesha Way
T. Way
Tom Malinowski
T. Malinowski
Brendan Gill
B. Gill
Analilia Mejia
A. Mejia
John Bartlett
J. Bartlett
Zach Beecher
Z. Beecher
Date (Start - End)SpreadWayMalinowskiGillMejiaBartlettBeecher
Polling Average
Malinowski+23.0
5.0%28.0%12.0%5.0%2.0%1.0%
GQRNov 19 - 23
Malinowski+23.0
5.0%28.0%12.0%5.0%2.0%1.0%

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne

Endorsements

NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?

Endorsers of Tahesha Way for NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?

District 1199J of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees

Labor organization

District 1199J of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees endorsed Tahesha Way for Congress.

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A pro-Israel Democratic group

Public endorsement

A pro-Israel Democratic group endorsed Tahesha Way for Congress.

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Collective PAC

Political organization

Collective PAC endorsed Tahesha Way for Congress.

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Higher Heights for America PAC

Political organization

Higher Heights for America PAC endorsed Tahesha Way for Congress.

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Wayne Township Councilwoman Francine Ritter

Public endorsement

Wayne Township Councilwoman Francine Ritter endorsed Tahesha Way for Congress.

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Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association

Advocacy group

The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association endorsed Tahesha Way in her congressional bid for NJ-11.

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Fundraising

Latest report: Cycle 2026
Total raisedCash on hand
$848.6K
$636.5K
$424.3K
$212.2K
$0

2026

Latest
Year
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate

Cycle 2026

$848.6K
$37.3K
$811.3K
$45.1K

Source: FEC