During Thursday night’s special Democratic Convention in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District, which includes parts of Passaic, Bergen and Hudson Counties, State Senator Nellie Pou received the nomination from party members to be the Democratic nominee in the November election to fill the seat left vacant by the recent death of longtime Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
In Hudson County the District includes Secaucus and Kearny.
Senator Pou stated, “I am humble and grateful to be placed on the November ballot as the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 9th Congressional District. I thank the Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson County Chairs, and committee members for entrusting me with this responsibility. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of the remarkable Bill Pascrell. We are united in continuing his fight for our district. I am ready to serve, listen, and lead with courage, compassion, and a commitment to our shared values.”
Governor Phil Murphy has endorsed Senator Pou for the Congressional seat. On Monday, the three county Democratic chairs in the 9th Congressional District endorsed Pou in a joint statement: Bergen’s Paul Juliano, Passaic’s John Currie, and Hudson’s Craig Guy.
Pou was appointed to the New Jersey Assembly after Pascrell went to Congress. She served in the lower chamber from 1997 until her accession to the state Senate in 2012. Pou has represented the 35th legislative district throughout her entire tenure in the State House.
She will face Republican Billy Prempeh in November. Pou enters the race as the favorite. If she wins in November, she would be New Jersey’s first, Latina Congresswoman.