State Sen. Nellie Pou is expected to be picked by local Democratic leaders to replace the late Rep. Bill Pascrell on the November ballot in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District. Gov. Phil Murphy endorsed Pou, who would be heavily favored to defeat Republican nominee Billy Prempeh in the deep blue district. If elected, Pou would be the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress from New Jersey.
Pascrell, who passed away on August 21 after a hospitalization, was honored at a funeral mass attended by Democratic officials including Murphy, Nancy Pelosi, and others. Local Democratic leaders have until Thursday to replace Pascrell on the ballot, with Pou gaining strong support from key endorsements and rivals dropping out of the race.
Pascrell’s death marked the second New Jersey Democratic lawmaker to pass away in 2021, following Rep. Donald Payne Jr. in April. Other officials had initially sought to replace Pascrell, including Benjie Wimberly, Shavonda Sumter, and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh. Pou, who has served in the New Jersey legislature since 1997, garnered support from Democratic committee chairmen in Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties.
President Biden paid tribute to Pascrell, highlighting their three-decade-long friendship and Pascrell’s dedication to working-class people and key policy issues. Pou’s expected nomination reflects a continuation of Pascrell’s legacy and commitment to serving the constituents of the 9th Congressional District.
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