Rep. Bill Pascrell, feisty Democrat from Paterson, dies at 87 • New Jersey Monitor

Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Passaic County Democrat who spent more than a quarter century representing New Jersey in Congress, died Wednesday following a prolonged hospitalization. He was 87.

“It is with a deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning. As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved,” the congressman’s family said in a statement.

The congressman’s death comes a little more than a month after he was hospitalized with a fever in mid-July. The congressman then required breathing assistance but was discharged following a three-week hospital stay before returning to St. Joseph’s hospital in Paterson days later.

Before joining Congress in 1997, Pascrell served seven years as Paterson’s mayor and nine years as a member of the General Assembly. In D.C. he represented the 9th Congressional District, which covers parts of Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties.

“Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city that he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation,” his family said.

A former school teacher who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves, Pascrell was one of the oldest members of Congress. He is survived by his wife, Elsie, three children, and five grandchildren.

“I had the honor of serving alongside Bill for 27 years. I will deeply miss my friend and partner. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Elsie, their children, and grandchildren, who supported him through a life of public service and generously shared him with all of us. I also want to recognize his dedicated staff, who he considered his extended family, and who guided him through a distinguished career on Capitol Hill,” said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-06).

Pascrell was a longtime co-chair of the congressional law enforcement caucus and an ardent opponent of former President Donald Trump. The congressman railed against the former president’s tax policy and repeatedly sought to undo a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions that disproportionately affected residents in high-tax states like New Jersey.

He repeatedly called for criminal investigations into Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over policy changes at the United States Postal Service in 2020 and sought to block the swearings-in of congresspeople who joined Trump’s efforts to overturn President Joe Biden’s election.

Pascrell was an advocate for first responders and veterans. He championed legislation extending grants to local fire departments to hire additional personnel, purchase equipment, and fund fire prevention programs.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a great friend and colleague, Congressman Bill Pascrell. Bill was a dedicated public servant, a tireless advocate for his constituents, and a passionate supporter of firefighters. We worked closely together on many issues. My deepest condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. Bill will be dearly missed,” said Rep. Tom Kean (R-07), who cosponsored a recent bill with Pascrell reauthorizing grants for firefighters.

Pascrell’s death will create a vacancy on November’s ballot. Democratic county committee people from the 9th District are tasked with tapping a candidate to replace him in November.

They don’t have much time to decide. The deadline to fill primary nominee vacancies for the ballot is Aug. 29. Democrats’ pick will face off against Republican Billy Prempeh in November.

Though the 9th District grew more competitive after its boundary lines were redrawn in late 2021, Democrats are still heavily favored to win there. Because Pascrell’s death came within six months of the general election, Gov. Phil Murphy is not required by law to call a special election.

Pascrell’s death comes months after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who died in April after a heart attack left him hospitalized in a coma.