Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson), who made his name as a high school football coach before being elected to the state legislature, announced today that he’s joining the already-growing field for the late Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson)’s open House seat.
“As a coach and educator, I believe in building strong fundamentals – whether that is in the classroom, or on the field of play,” Wimberly said in a statement shared with the New Jersey Globe. “For our communities, those fundamentals are simple: well paying jobs, thriving main streets, top-notch education for our children, safe streets, and protections of our fundamental rights as citizens. These are all the things Congressman Pascrell stood for and I want to continue in Washington.”
Wimberly is the second Democrat to launch a campaign for Pascrell’s 9th district; his legislative running mate, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-North Haledon), announced her own bid earlier today.
Pascrell died yesterday at the age of 87 after nearly 28 years in Congress, setting off a breakneck race for his seat. While those hoping to succeed him might under normal circumstances wait a little while before launching their campaigns out of respect for the congressman, the state election calendar provides for no such leeway in this case, since a new Democratic nominee has to be in place by next Thursday, August 29.
Sometime before then, Democratic county committeemembers from the three counties that make up the 9th district – mostly Passaic and Bergen Counties, with a small part of Hudson County as well – will meet for a county convention to choose a replacement nominee. Their choice will head straight to the November general election against Republican Billy Prempeh.
Wimberly, who like Sumter is a Paterson native, spent more than two decades as a high school football coach, including a long stint as head coach at Paterson Catholic High School that included seven state championship wins. In 2010, he was elected to the Paterson City Council; just over a year later, he moved up to the State Assembly from a Paterson-based district.
Throughout his time in politics, he considered Pascrell, himself a former mayor of Paterson, to be a personal friend and mentor.
“I have had the honor and privilege of working side by side with Congressman Pascrell for over two decades,” Wimberly said today. “He was a role model, mentor, and friend and together we worked hard for the people and the youth of Paterson.”
Either Wimberly or Sumter would be the first Black House member to ever represent Passaic and Bergen Counties; both legislators also happen to be in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, adding yet another complication to their fledgling campaigns.
And they may not have the field to themselves for long. Paterson Mayor André Sayegh and Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur (D-Franklin Lakes) could also enter the race, and other state legislators – Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (D-Cliffside Park), Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), and State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) among them – might consider campaigns as well.
The decision will ultimately come down to the 800 or so county committeemembers from Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson Counties who will have a vote at the eventual convention – and in reality, the “electorate” will likely be even smaller than that, since some committee seats are vacant and a significant number of committeemembers may be unable to attend due to vacation plans.
Wimberly said in his launch statement that he hopes he can be a congressman who lives up to the legacy Pascrell leaves behind.
“Right now, it is clear to me that Washington isn’t working for everyday folks,” he said. “And we need strong leaders who will stand up to bullies and extremists to protect what is fundamental, whether it’s our vote, access to abortion, or access to top-notch education. I know following in the footsteps of Congressman Pascrell will be a tall order, but the Congressman was a true public servant. I will be the same because the families of the 9th and beyond deserve this and more.”