State Sen. Nellie Pou consolidates Democratic support to replace Bill Pascrell in NJ's 9th
While many are still mourning the death of Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. last week, state Sen. Nellie Pou has emerged as the likely Democratic front-runner for the 9th Congressional District nomination for this November’s general election.
In a statement released by the Bergen County Democrats, party chairmen from the three counties that lie within Paterson-centric District 9 — Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties — have agreed to endorse Pou.
Paul Juliano of Bergen County, John Currie of Passaic County and Craig Guy of Hudson County “believe Sen. Pou’s endorsement is in the best interest of the district’s residents and families and in keeping with the long and distinguished service established during Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr.’s tenure,” the statement said.
Who is Nellie Pou?
Pou would be the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress.
“Senator Nellie Pou has a long and distinguished record of public service, and we believe she is the right choice to represent our diverse and vibrant district in Congress,” Currie said in the statement.
Juliano said that “Pou’s candidacy represents progress for our state and a continuation of the strong leadership” Pascrell provided, going on to say Pou is the “best person to carry on that legacy.”
Because of the timeline for printing and sending vote-by-mail ballots, the county committees must hold a meeting no later than Thursday for committee members to pick a new candidate.
In a show of respect for Pascrell, the committees are opting to hold the meeting on Thursday — after the Wednesday funeral for the congressman. It will be at 6 p.m. in Wayne.
Congressman mourned: Funeral arrangements set for the late Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr.
Who else may be in the running?
The fast-tracked process saw several big names jump into the race. In addition to Pou, it will feature Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter.
There was speculation last week about Bergen County officials entering the race as well, including County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur and Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese from Cliffside Park, but with the support rolling in all weekend for Pou, it seems unlikely.
Pou, Sumter and Wimberly have been running mates on a legislative slate for a dozen years. This wouldn’t be the first time Pou filled a seat left by Pascrell. She joined the Legislature in 1997 when Pascrell left his seat in the Assembly to go to Congress.
If Pou becomes the nominee and wins the seat, Sumter and Wimberly would likely top the list of potential successors for her spot in the state’s upper chamber, which would in turn create a vacancy in the Assembly to be filled by the County Committee.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: To replace Bill Pascrell, Nellie Pou consolidates Democratic support
