The death of longtime Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) has set off a sprint for Democrats looking to replace the late congressman on the November ballot for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District.
Pascrell, who was 87, died last week after a series of hospital stays. He was set to be the oldest member of the House if he won reelection in November, but he died after he checked himself into the hospital on July 14 for a fever and was diagnosed with a respiratory infection. He was discharged after a nearly four-week stay but returned to the hospital just days later.
Now, four Democrats, including state Sen. Nellie Pou, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, and state Reps. Shavonda Sumter and Benjie Wimberly, are competing to replace Pascrell as the Democratic candidate. Pou is considered to be the front-runner, particularly after the three Democratic county chairmen in the 9th District endorsed her on Monday.
“This is a pivotal moment for New Jersey. Senator Pou’s candidacy represents progress for our state and a continuation of the strong leadership that Congressman Bill Pascrell provided for nearly three decades,” said Paul Juliano, a county chairman, according to the New Jersey Globe. “We are united in our belief that Nellie Pou is the best person to carry on that legacy.”
Pascrell was expected to sail to reelection against Republican Billy Prempeh, whom he had defeated twice before, 55% to 44% in 2022 and 66% to 32% in 2020, when the district was bluer. If Pou wins, she would be the first Latina congresswoman in New Jersey in a district that is 42% Hispanic. Sumter is also a leading contender, as well.
Counties in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District have a narrow window to replace Pascrell — the state’s deadline is Thursday to place a new candidate on the ballot. The party is holding a special Democratic convention on that day, and the vote will be done by secret ballot.
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If there is not a majority of county committee members present Thursday evening, the party will need to ask the court to extend the deadline. With the election happening before the Labor Day holiday weekend, turnout could be lower than what is needed to confirm a candidate.
For now, it is likely Pascrell’s seat will remain vacant until after the Nov. 5 election. Under state law, Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) could call for a special election, but political figures close to the situation told the Paterson Press they do not expect Murphy to select someone to fill the seat because Democrats hold the minority in the House.
