In a surprising turn of events, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) has exited the race for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District, clearing the path for State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) to secure the Democratic nomination. This development comes just days after the passing of Rep. Bill Pascrell, leaving Democrats with a tight deadline to select a replacement candidate for the November ballot.
Wimberly, a well-respected lawmaker and accomplished high school football coach, had quickly garnered significant support from local leaders, including Paterson council members and other prominent figures. Despite this backing, Wimberly ultimately bowed out, leaving Pou as the apparent nominee after a brief but intense six-day campaign.
The rapid consolidation of support around Pou by key Democratic county chairs signals the party’s desire for a seasoned and reliable candidate to uphold their legacy in a district long held by Pascrell. However, this swift decision-making process might leave some voters questioning whether the best candidate truly emerged from such a truncated selection period.
As Pou gears up for the general election, she’ll face Republican Billy Prempeh, a U.S. Air Force veteran making his third bid for the seat. With Wimberly’s departure, the Democrats are rallying around Pou, but Republicans see an opportunity to capitalize on what they view as potential discontent among voters over the expedited nomination process. The race is on, and both parties are gearing up for a high-stakes contest in November.
