Chairman Wisniewski’s Statement on the Primary Results for the 9th Congressional District

June 05, 2012

For Immediate Release
June 5, 2012

Chairman Wisniewski’s Statement on the Primary Results for the 9^th Congressional District

(Trenton)- Today, primary elections were held throughout the state.  In New Jersey’s 9^th Congressional District, a contested primary was held between Congressman Bill Pascrell and Congressman Steve Rothman.  Congressman Bill Pascrell won the primary election and is now the Democratic nominee for the 9^th Congressional District.  Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, released the following statement about the 9^th Congressional District’s primary results:

“As State Party Chairman, I had hoped we could avoid an intra-party battle.  Residents of New Jersey have been well served by both Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman and it is a tremendous loss for our state that one of them will not be serving in the House of Representatives in the next term.

Congressman Steve Rothman has served his constituents since 1983, as Mayor of Englewood, Bergen County Surrogate Court Judge, and as a Member of Congress.  As New Jersey’s only Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Rothman has fought to ensure that community priorities receive federal funding.  He has been an outspoken advocate for veterans and seniors, fighting to ensure that the United States fulfill its commitments to veterans benefits, Social Security, and Medicare.

Both Congressmen and their respective supporters fought hard to win this primary.  With this evening’s results, Democrats have a nominee for the 9^th Congressional district: Congressman Bill Pascrell.

Congressman Bill Pascrell has served his constituents for 24 years, as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, as Mayor of Paterson, and as a Member of Congress.  As New Jersey’s only member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Pascrell has been a voice for our families on federal tax policy.  He has been a voice for first responders, actively working to ensure that police officers and firefighters have the equipment and funding necessary to perform their jobs and protect their communities.  

We must now unite behind Bill Pascrell.  Let’s harness the passion seen during this primary and make sure we turn out and re-elect President Barack Obama, Senator Bob Menendez, and Congressman Bill Pascrell in November.”

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