ICYMI: Brian Varela is Only NJ-07 Dem to Back Progressive Darling Analilia Mejia

In case you missed it, the surging hard-core progressive Brian Varela is the only Democratin the NJ-07 primary to back socialist Analilia Mejia.

It’s no surprise Varela ran to support Mejia. After all, the pair both hate ICE, are backed by the same far-left, anti-police leaderslikePatricia Campos-Medina and Ras Baraka, and are both big fans of violentpolitical rhetoric.  

Read the full story here or see excerpts below:

The Varela Strain
Save Jersey
Matt Rooney
February 20, 2026

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Meanwhile, in the state’s most competitive GOP defense district, the baby-faced Brian Varela is vexxing Democrat national leaders who prefer Sherrill clone Rebecca Bennett.

It’s not hard to understand why. Varela is, to date, the only NJ-07 candidate to formally endorse Mejia (who may face another contested primary in June). Mejia served as a national political director for Bernie Sanders and as co-executive director of an organization which promoted defunding the police. Mejia is also – drum roll, please – anti-ICE. Varela is, too. In fact, he’s called for an “immediate end” to ICE. Internal polling reportedly shows that the pair’s hard-left drift is paying dividends.

“Dangerous radical Brian Varela is a darling of the far left whose progressive agenda would raise taxes and make New Jerseyans less safe. Voters aren’t buying what this progressive hero is selling,” opined NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole.

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