New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell dead at 87

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who served in the House for more than 27 years, died Wednesday morning, his office announced.

Pascrell, 87, had been hospitalized in July to be treated for a respiratory infection and spent some time in intensive care. The congressman moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility earlier this month but was rushed back to the hospital days later.

“It is with 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. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America,” a statement on Pascrell’s account on the social platform X reads.

Pascrell’s death puts a bookend on his nearly three-decade tenure in the House, which he was first elected to in 1996. The New Jersey Democrat beat then-Rep. Bill Martini (R) to represent the Garden State’s 8th Congressional District. Redistricting moved him to the 9th Congressional District later in his career on Capitol Hill.

Pascrell served on the Ways and Means Committee and became a noted Trump critic during his later years in Congress. Before Congress, he was the mayor of Paterson, N.J., and served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.

The deadline to replace Pascrell on the ballot is Aug. 29. Democratic county committee people from the 9th District will be tasked with selecting a new candidate, according to the New Jersey Monitor.

The nominee then will face Republican Billy Prempeh in the November general election.

Pascrell beat Prempeh by just more than 11 percentage points in 2022. The district broke for President Biden over former President Trump by more than 18 percentage points in 2020.

Pascrell, who was among the oldest members of the House, checked himself into the hospital on July 14 after coming down with a fever. His office later said he had a respiratory infection.

He was discharged from the hospital Aug. 7 and moved to a rehab facility. Days later, however, he was brought back to the hospital, multiple sources reported. It was not clear why he returned to the hospital.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle mourned Pascrell’s death.

“My heart is breaking right now. What profound sadness falls upon New Jersey for the loss of Bill Pascrell. I miss him and give all the love and strength I can muster to his family and community,” New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim (D) wrote on X.

Republican New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. called Pascrell “a great friend and colleague.”

“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,” he added on X.

Updated at 12:54 p.m. EDT