State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), now the apparent nominee for Congress in New Jersey’s 9th district, has won the endorsement of Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Senator Nellie Pou is the ideal public servant to succeed Congressman Pascrell and continue his life’s mission of building a stronger, fairer, more equitable, and more inclusive New Jersey for every family,” said Murphy.
Murphy said he’s lost track of how many key initiatives he’s partnered with Pou on since taking office in January 2018.
“From expanding access to health care to making college more affordable for our state’s students — regardless of their immigration status — to enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, Nellie has passionately and successfully advanced a number of our shared priorities,” he said.
Pou heads into tomorrow night’s Democratic convention with no opposition after three announced candidates – Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson), and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) – ended their campaigns. Pou became the leading candidate over the weekend when Democratic county chairmen in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties coalesced behind her candidacy.
“I know she’ll make New Jersey proud as the first Latina to represent our state in Congress, enriching the diversity of our congressional delegation,” stated Murphy. “And beyond making history, she will dedicate every moment of her congressional career to making progress on behalf of her constituents.”
Murphy also paid tribute to Pascrell, who died on August 21 at age 87, saying that “New Jersey lost a giant.”
“As we grieve the loss of a legend, we must come together to carry on his legacy of fighting for the people of North Jersey,” the governor said.