Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson)’s campaign for a 15th term in Congress was endorsed yesterday by Gov. Phil Murphy and Passaic County Democratic Chairman John Currie, a show of unity behind the congressman as Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-North Haledon) considers a primary campaign against him.
“Bill always tells it like it is, and there are few political leaders in America more willing to roll up their sleeves and deliver than him,” Murphy said in a statement. “I look forward to supporting Bill’s re-election to Congress so he can continue fighting for New Jersey’s working families.”
Sumter intends to appear before a Passaic County Democratic screening committee for a potential 9th district congressional run this Saturday, but without Currie’s support, she stands little chance of success. In order to compete for party support in the district’s Bergen County portion, meanwhile, she’d have to gather six county committee signatures in at least five municipalities within the next week, a tough task.
“It’s an open process,” Currie told Politico NJ of the Passaic Democrats’ endorsement. “She has every right to screen. But I’m endorsing Congressman Pascrell.”
Sumter’s not the only politician who’s considered a challenge to the 87-year-old Pascrell this year. Paterson Mayor André Sayegh declined to rule out his own interest in the seat for months, and his allies put a poll in the field last month testing a potential primary, but he ultimately decided earlier this week to pass on a bid.