Rep. Bill Pascrell Confirms Candidacy In NJ-9

NJ-9 — Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) announced he would seek re-election to continue representing New Jersey's Ninth District.

"I am excited by the new map approved by the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission. I am announcing today that I will run hard to continue representing all the great people in the Ninth Congressional District," he said, in a statement.

"We have been blessed to occupy one of the most vibrant and diverse districts in the entire United States. The modified Ninth District remains a melting pot of culture and a kaleidoscope of the American Dream. The Ninth District is my home."

The New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission adopted Democrats' proposed congressional map for 2022-2031, siding with them over a competing proposal from state Republicans. See the map online here.

Barring unexpected election results for either side, Democrats' 10-2 majority in the New Jersey delegation is likely to shrink to 9-3 under the new map, Politico reported.

Three of the state's four potentially endangered Democratic incumbents will have safer districts to run in next November: Rep. Andy Kim (District 3), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (District 5) and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (District 11). However, Rep. Tom Malinowski (District 7) may face a tougher challenge in a district that will become more Republican-friendly, NJ.com reported.

Pascrell notes that 83 percent of the Ninth District remains the same, and that some towns that were added were actually a part of the district prior to the state's last redistricting.

"While I know intimately our Passaic, Bergen and Hudson County communities, I will work assiduously to meet all our new neighbors and learn the needs, hopes, and dreams of our new cities and towns," said Pascrell.

"They will have a tireless champion of their interests in Bill Pascrell. Our team will be at their disposal immediately. And the countless friends we have made in the communities leaving the Ninth District have given me the energy to do the job every day. They will always remain our friends and a part of our family and I am so proud of the achievements we won together."

Pascrell also added some of his feelings about the challenges facing America today, in his statement. Read it below:

"The challenges of our time are titanic and demand fearless leadership. Every day I go to work to deliver for our communities, to stand up to the powerful, and to protect the United States of America. I fight ferociously for our state to get us the support and the respect we deserve. I was in the House chamber on January 6, 2021. The broken glass cracked under my shoes as I went to ratify the Electoral College for President Biden. This is not exaggeration: the threat to our democracy today is greater than at any moment since 1860. You can either retreat or join the fight. I never retreat. I am staying to fight.

I will run for this seat with every fiber in my body to keep the trust of our current neighbors and earn the trust of our new neighbors. I cannot wait to get started."