An organization focused on representing Latina representation in politics endorsed state Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) in her campaign to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson).
Pou, the first Hispanic person to represent the 35th legislative district, succeeded Pascrell when she joined the Assembly in 1997. The advocacy group LATINA CIVIC endorsed Pou to take the next step up on Friday morning, noting that no Latina has represented New Jersey in Congress or on the statewide executive level.
The group cited Pou’s 27 years in the state legislature and said she is prepared to represent the residents of the 9th congressional district, which is 42 percent Hispanic.
“LATINA CIVIC proudly supports State Senator Nellie Pou to become the Ninth Congressional District nominee and calls on all county committee members in Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson Counties to support her nomination,” the endorsement reads. “As the Democratic Party unites to elect our first woman president, we call on NJ Democrats to lead by example and elect our first Latina woman to the US Congress.”
Pou has been chair of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus since 2006 and serves as the majority caucus chair in the state Senate.