Remembering Rep. Bill Pascrell 

Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., a 14-term incumbent and long-time political leader in his hometown of Paterson and the second-oldest member of the House, passed away in August. 

Pascrell, a lifelong resident and former mayor of Paterson, was first elected to Congress in 1996 and served on the House Ways and Means Committee since 2007. Pascrell recently won the Democratic Primary in June and was slated to run for a 15th term in November. 

Pacrell served in the Army and Army Reserve after college and graduate school. He worked as a teacher in Paterson and served on the Paterson Board of Education from 1979 to 1982 before being elected to the state legislature. He served as the mayor of Paterson from 1990-1996 before being elected to Congress. 

Pascrell is well-known for being a fierce advocate for his constituents in New Jersey’s 9th congressional district and most notably, his work on behalf of first responders – especially firefighters. He worked to bring grants back to his district and spearheaded the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act of 2000 which established the only federal program that delivers grant funding directly to fire departments across the country. 

Pascrell was also instrumental in getting the Great Falls recognized as the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park during the Obama Administration. He also served as the co-chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation. 

Pascrell was laid to rest on August 28th and is survived by his wife Elsie, three children and five grandchildren. 

State Sen. Nellie Pou to Replace Pascrell on November Ballot 

On August 29th, State Senator Nellie Pou was chosen by county committee members in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties to replace the late Rep. Bill Pascrell on the ballot in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional Distruict this November. 

Pou was set to face off against Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter in a contested county committee vote to succeed Pascrell. Prior to the vote, all three Paterson Democrats withdrew their names with support from party leaders coalescing behind Pou.

If Pou defeats Republican Billy Prempeh of Paterson in November, she would be the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress.

Throughout her tenure in the New Jersey General Assembly and State Senate, Pou has been a steadfast advocate for social and criminal justice reform, as well as human and civil rights. Pou serves as Chair of the New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her leadership roles as Chairwoman of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus and within the NHCSL have further honed her ability to champion the needs of diverse communities and promote inclusive policies.

“Nellie Pou is the ideal public servant to succeed Rep. Pascrell and continue his life’s mission of building a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy.

George Helmy Sworn in as US Senator 

Sen. George Helmy, former chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, was sworn in on Monday to serve the reminder of the term held by former US Senator Robert Menendez, who resigned on August 20th following his conviction on federal bribery charges. 

George Helmy will serve as US Senator from New Jersey until the November election results for the Senate seat are certified late in the month, the governor said. At that point, Murphy said Helmy will resign and he’ll name the winner of the election to the seat.

Helmy, 44, served as Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 until 2023 and currently serves as an executive at one of the state’s largest health care providers, RWJBarnabas Health. He previously served as Sen. Cory Booker’s state director in the Senate.

Operating Engineers support Gottheimer for Governor

Local 825, the state’s influential operating engineers union has announced that they will back Rep. Josh Gottheimer in the 2025 Democratic primary for governor should he run. 

Greg Lalevee, business manager for the Operating Engineers Local 825, cited Gottheimer’s support for the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill and his moderate politics as reasons for earning the union’s support.

“He certainly should run in the Democratic primary,” Lalevee said. “His centrist ways and whatnot have produced results in Washington. And I think [it] would produce results here.”

Operating Engineers Local 825 is viewed as among the state’s most influential unions and has backed both Democrats and Republicans. Lalevee said the union has not made a decision for a general election endorsement but that it's behind Gottheimer in the Democratic primary.

In what could be a large field of candidates to succeed term-limited Governor  Murphy, labor unions – part of the core vote in Democratic primaries – are charting their own paths.  Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has been endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Teamsters, AFSCME, and other transit-related locals.    Sean Spiller, the sitting president of the New Jersey Education Association President — the state’s largest public employee union – is also running for governor.

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters announced its endorsement of former Senate President Steve Sweeney the same day he entered the race last December, and the regional leader of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) announced last month that his union would support Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) if she runs.