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New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2026

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2024
New Jersey's 12th Congressional District
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: Pending
Primary: Pending
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in New Jersey

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
New Jersey's 12th Congressional District
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th
New Jersey elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman and Kyle Little are running in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Kyle Little

WebsiteFacebookYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "My name is Kyle Little I am a 36-year-old openly gay African American man and the owner of Isolation Fitness, which operates studios in Metuchen and Edison, New Jersey. I also serve as an adjunct college professor at Kean University. Originally from Union County, I graduated from Linden High School in 2006, and I earned my master’s degree from Montclair State University in 2014. I am running for Congress with the goal of rebranding and bringing change to the Democratic Party by advocating for better justice, equality, and rights for all Americans. If elected, he would become the first Black openly gay man to serve in Congress from the state of New Jersey."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


A Fighter Against Fascism I believe the Democratic Party is missing one crucial element right now — the willingness to fight back against fascism of MAGA Republicans, with strength and clarity. I will be that fighter, ready to stand up against extremism and defend our democracy.


Stronger Voices, Stronger Messaging We need more leaders who can clearly and fearlessly communicate our values. I will bring bold, unapologetic messaging that inspires people, counters misinformation, and builds trust in the Democratic Party. We also need younger, more passionate voices. Right now, 31 Democrats in the House of Representatives are over 75 years old. The Party needs fresh energy and perspective to help lift its approval rating, which currently sits at just 27%.


Breaking Barriers for Justice and Equality As a 36-year-old openly gay African American man, small business owner, and college professor, I know what it means to work hard and fight for fairness. If elected, I will make history as the first Black openly gay man to serve in Congress from New Jersey — and I will use that platform to champion justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.

Voting information

See also: Voting in New Jersey

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

A Fighter Against Fascism

I believe the Democratic Party is missing one crucial element right now — the willingness to fight back against fascism of MAGA Republicans, with strength and clarity. I will be that fighter, ready to stand up against extremism and defend our democracy.

Stronger Voices, Stronger Messaging

We need more leaders who can clearly and fearlessly communicate our values. I will bring bold, unapologetic messaging that inspires people, counters misinformation, and builds trust in the Democratic Party. We also need younger, more passionate voices. Right now, 31 Democrats in the House of Representatives are over 75 years old. The Party needs fresh energy and perspective to help lift its approval rating, which currently sits at just 27%.

Breaking Barriers for Justice and Equality

As a 36-year-old openly gay African American man, small business owner, and college professor, I know what it means to work hard and fight for fairness. If elected, I will make history as the first Black openly gay man to serve in Congress from New Jersey — and I will use that platform to champion justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.
Education and Honest History

I am committed to strengthening our education system and ensuring that students learn the full, unfiltered truth about American history. Understanding our past is essential to building a better future.


Women’s Reproductive Rights and Maternal Health

I am deeply passionate about protecting women’s reproductive rights, with a special focus on addressing the alarming maternal mortality rate among Black women in New Jersey, who die during childbirth at seven times the rate of white women.


LGBTQIA+ Rights

With the Supreme Court being asked to reverse same-sex marriage, I am committed to defending and advancing LGBTQIA+ rights. As a gay married man who relies on my husband’s health insurance, these rights are
One of my greatest inspirations is Bayard Rustin: an openly gay Black man who served as a trusted advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was the chief architect of the historic March on Washington, the largest demonstration in United States history at the time, drawing over 250,000 people. As an openly gay Black man running for Congress, I pay homage to Rustin’s courage and vision. I will always share his story and legacy with the American people, because he paved the way for countless minorities to gain the rights and freedoms we have today. His life reminds us that true progress is built on the shoulders of those willing to stand boldly for justice; even when the world is not ready to accept them.
I believe elected officials must demonstrate true leadership and a willingness to fight for their constituents.
The core responsibility of this office is to vote in the best interest of the people, not the party. Be there to assist Mayors, Councilmen and other leaders in your district.
I want to leave a legacy built on truth, honesty, and always doing what’s right for the people. As an educator, small business owner, and a Black openly gay man, I understand firsthand the importance of standing up for marginalized communities. By fighting for them, and for all the people of my district — I hope to leave behind a legacy rooted in righteousness, service, and the unwavering belief that leadership means putting people first.
The first major historical event I remember in my lifetime was the attack on September 11, 2001. I was in 8th grade, and I can still picture classmates being called out of school early as the news spread. There was a heaviness in the air: a sadness that seemed to blanket the entire country. For me, the moment felt even more surreal because it came just a few weeks after the tragic death of R&B singer Aaliyah in a plane crash. Experiencing those two events so close together at a young age left a lasting impression on me about the fragility of life and the way sudden tragedy can unite people in grief.
My first job was a Pinho's Bakery in Roselle, NJ. I started working there at the age of 15 and I left at age 18, when I went off to college at Montclair State University.
My favorite book is Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper. I first read it as an 18-year-old freshman in college, right at the point in my life when I was stepping into adulthood and learning to navigate the challenges and responsibilities that come with it. The book guided me toward making better choices, staying focused on my goals, and maturing into the person I was meant to be. It also inspired me to get involved in organizations, serve my community, and embrace the leadership qualities I had within me. Hill Harper’s words reminded me that our paths are shaped by the values we choose to live by — and they helped shape mine.
One of the biggest struggles in my life was growing up with divorced parents. My parents separated when I was just five years old, and from that point on, my family expanded in different directions. My father remarried and later divorced again, while my mother had another child — my little sister, Destiny, who has always been a great blessing in my life.

The divorce was difficult, especially as a child. I had to split my time between two homes, navigating birthdays and holidays in a way that often made me feel like a piece being passed back and forth. There were times I felt caught in the middle, but I was fortunate to have the unwavering love and support of both my parents.

That experience taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of cherishing family, no matter how it’s shaped. It also gave me a deep understanding of how life’s challenges can make us stronger and more compassionate toward others.
The House of Representatives plays a unique and vital role in our democracy because it can hold the executive branch more accountable. As the lower house of Congress, it serves as an equal branch of government with the power to represent the people directly.
Although I do not have prior political experience, I see that as an advantage rather than a liability. Too many career politicians have stayed in office for decades, becoming complicit and content.
One of the greatest challenges facing the United States today is overcoming the rise of fascism that has infiltrated our government.
I believe the two-year term length for Representatives is appropriate because it allows voters to hold them accountable quickly if they fail to represent their constituents effectively.
I strongly support term limits — no one should serve in Congress for more than 24 years: 12 terms in the House or 4 terms in the Senate. Long-term incumbency often leads to complacency and detachment from the needs of everyday Americans.
The current member of Congress I most admire is Representative Jasmine Crockett, because she is unapologetically committed to the fight for justice and equality. I would say that I am the "male version" of her.
While I believe compromise has its place in politics, there can be no compromise with MAGA Republicans, who are driven by self-interest and the demands of the wealthiest among us, with no concern for the well-being of the nation.
I have many accomplishments that I’m proud of — earning my master’s degree in 2014, serving as the undergraduate representative for my fraternity, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated, from 2010 to 2011; but the one that means the most to me is opening my fitness studio, Isolation Fitness. I built that studio entirely on my own, with no outside help, after working in numerous gyms across the state of New Jersey. Today, Isolation Fitness has grown to two physical locations. Even now, it’s still a little surreal to drive by and see my name and logo on the front of those stores — a constant reminder of hard work paying off.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Bonnie Watson Coleman Democratic Party $200,212 $140,647 $98,943 As of June 30, 2025
Kyle Little Democratic Party $8,987 $1,872 $14,229 As of June 30, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/2/20258/26/20258/19/20258/12/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Darius Mayfield, Kim Meudt, and Vic Kaplan in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
 
61.2
 
196,871
Image of Darius Mayfield
Darius Mayfield (R)
 
36.4
 
117,222
Kim Meudt (G)
 
1.4
 
4,652
Image of Vic Kaplan
Vic Kaplan (L) Candidate Connection
 
0.9
 
2,915

Total votes: 321,660
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Daniel J. Dart in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
 
86.8
 
43,510
Image of Daniel J. Dart
Daniel J. Dart Candidate Connection
 
13.2
 
6,623

Total votes: 50,133
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Darius Mayfield defeated Thomas Jones Jr. in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Darius Mayfield
Darius Mayfield
 
84.4
 
14,753
Image of Thomas Jones Jr.
Thomas Jones Jr.
 
15.6
 
2,732

Total votes: 17,485
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2022

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Darius Mayfield and C. Lynn Genrich in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
 
63.1
 
125,127
Image of Darius Mayfield
Darius Mayfield (R)
 
35.9
 
71,175
C. Lynn Genrich (L)
 
1.0
 
1,925

Total votes: 198,227
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
 
100.0
 
37,440

Total votes: 37,440
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Darius Mayfield advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Darius Mayfield
Darius Mayfield
 
100.0
 
13,514

Total votes: 13,514
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Mark Razzoli, Robert Edward Forchion Jr., and Kenneth Cody in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
 
65.6
 
230,883
Image of Mark Razzoli
Mark Razzoli (R)
 
32.6
 
114,591
Robert Edward Forchion Jr. (Independent)
 
1.3
 
4,512
Image of Kenneth Cody
Kenneth Cody (Truth Vision Hope Party) Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
1,739

Total votes: 351,725
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Lisa McCormick in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on July 7, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
 
89.2
 
81,936
Image of Lisa McCormick
Lisa McCormick
 
10.8
 
9,928

Total votes: 91,864
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Mark Razzoli advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on July 7, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark Razzoli
Mark Razzoli
 
100.0
 
19,992

Total votes: 19,992
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.



District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

New Jersey 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


Senators
Representatives
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District 2
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District 6
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District 12
Democratic Party (11)
Republican Party (3)