Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
12%
28%
5%
5%
Democrat
Brendan Gill
NJ-11 special Democratic nominee?
$2.3M
JAN 1, 2027Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCounty commissioner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationNew Jersey
Show moreShow less
BackgroundCounty commissioner
EducationSeton Hall University — B.A., Political Science (magna cum laude)
Notable personal detailsBrendan W. Gill is an Essex County, New Jersey commissioner and Democratic political strategist. He has worked on campaigns and in public-sector roles including serving as campaign manager for Phil Murphy’s 2017 gubernatorial campaign and as a senior aide to U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Frank Lautenberg, and U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University and has run for U.S. House in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
docquery.fec.govgillfornj.comclimateintegrity.orgnj.govnewjerseyglobe.comfec.govfilpac.comcapitolhillaccess.comapi.open.fec.govispolitical.comm.thegreenpapers.comthecandidate.compostman.comglama.aiapi.fecfile.fec.govsunlightlabs.github.ioen.wikipedia.orgelec.nj.govreddit.compassaiccountynj.orgthesetonian.comvillagegreennj.comrollcall.cominsidernj.comessexnewsdaily.comnjlcv.orgbrendanwgill.comyahoo.comballotready.orgnjtoday.newsexplorenewjersey.orgnjac.orgmontclairlocal.newsballotpedia.orgessexdems.orgjewishinsider.comfacebook.comnjdemocrat.substack.comhistory.house.govdisclosures-clerk.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotesmart.org
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.
Show moreShow less
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.
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.
Family of Bill Pascrell
Public endorsement
Family of Bill Pascrell endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Tim Dougherty
Public figure
Tim Dougherty endorsed Brendan Gill in the 11th District congressional race.
Maplewood Township Committee
Political organization
All five members of the Maplewood Township Committee endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Essex County Democratic Party
Public figure
Essex County Democratic Party endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
International Longshoremen's Association
Advocacy group
International Longshoremen's Association endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Governor Phil Murphy
Elected official
Governor Phil Murphy endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Over Fifty Trailblazing Women Leaders
Public endorsement
Over Fifty Trailblazing Women Leaders endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
SMART Local 25
Labor organization
SMART Local 25 endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Essex County Democratic Committee
Political organization
Essex County Democratic Committee endorsed Brendan Gill.
New Jersey Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Public endorsement
New Jersey Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Jeh Johnson
Public figure
Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz
Public endorsement
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Four New Jersey DNC members
Public endorsement
Four New Jersey DNC members endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Governor Phil Murphy
Elected official
Governor Phil Murphy endorsed Brendan Gill in the NJ-11 race.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1031
Labor organization
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1031 endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress.
Hotel & Gaming Trades Council
Public endorsement
Hotel & Gaming Trades Council endorsed Brendan Gill for Congress in NJ-11.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.1M
$850.7K
$567.1K
$283.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.1M
$9.9K
$1.1M
$62.5K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News