Paterson Mayor André Sayegh has decided not to run for Congress this year against Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), ending speculation about what would have been an explosive and volatile contest had it come to pass. Sayegh’s decision was first reported by the Paterson Press and confirmed by the New Jersey Globe.
Last year, Sayegh pointedly declined to rule out a Democratic primary bid against Pascrell, who at age 87 is seeking a 15th term in office this year. Talk of a potential Sayegh campaign only increased last month, when Sayegh’s allies began polling a potential primary contest between him and Pascrell, including negative messaging against both candidates.
Underpinning Sayegh’s potential campaign was an issue that has caused controversy in the Pascrell’s 9th congressional district: the war in Gaza. Unlike some of his New Jersey colleagues, Pascrell has declined to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, angering many of his Palestinian constituents in places like Prospect Park and Paterson’s Little Ramallah neighborhood.
But Sayegh ultimately decided against running, perhaps bowing to the reality that he would have likely faced long odds against the party establishment in Passaic and Bergen Counties. He did not elaborate on his decision to the New Jersey Globe or to the Paterson Press, though he told the latter that he’s more interested in focusing on this May’s local elections in Paterson.
Without Sayegh in the race, Pascrell should be able to easily win renomination this year. The poll that was in the field last month also tested another potential candidate, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-North Haledon), but she has shown no obvious interest in challenging Pascrell.
“Our democracy is beautiful because anyone can seek to serve,” Pascrell told the Paterson Press. “As always I am running 120 percent to make the case directly to all our neighbors. I will put my record fighting for the Ninth District and North Jersey against anybody.”
Pascrell still has two prospective Republican challengers in the 9th district, which strongly favors Democrats but which still hosted a closer-than-expected race in 2022: Billy Prempeh, whom Pascrell defeated in 2020 and 2022, and Hector Castillo, whom Pascrell defeated in 2016.