Rep. Steve Rothman will move to Englewood and run against fellow Democrat Bill Pascrell Jr. in the June primary for the newly configured 9th District, northjersey.com reported Monday night.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Rothman confirmed he would run against Pascrell. NJ.com, citing three sources, reported Rothman started telling Democrats on Monday that would leave his hometown of Fair Lawn.
“I have represented the Ninth Congressional District for the past 15 years and have lived here nearly my entire life. I look forward to continuing to represent this district," Rothman said in the statement. "We have more work to do together and I look forward to continuing to work for the people of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties and earning each of their votes on Election Day.”
Teaneck Mayor Mohamed Hameeduddin, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich and Sen. Loretta Weinberg were among local elected officials supporting Rothman, the statement said.
“Steve is an outstanding Congressman who has delivered nearly $2 billion in federal funding for New Jersey. We cannot afford to lose him,” Bergen County Democratic Chairman Lou Stellato said in the statement.
Rothman was put into the "Republican-leaning" 5th District with Rep. Scott Garrett in last week's congressional redistricting, according to NJ.com. Reports have said Rothman would face a tough fight against Garrett, a conservative Republican with a toehold in Sussex County and Republican-controlled Bergen County towns.
PolitickerNJ.com, citing sources, said Garrett would hold a 53-47 advantage over Rothman were they to face each other. Sources told Politicker that in the new-look District 9, Rothman would retain 61 percent of his current constituents over Pascrell.
The newly formed 9th District will contain parts of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties. Teaneck was split in the re-drawn map.
Rothman is a former Englewood mayor.
Editor's Note: Maps of the newly drawn districts attached to this article.
MadInNJ
1:52 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
When the going gets tough, pols like Rothman head for Greener Pastures - i.e., Pascrell's seat.
Marcia Strean
1:38 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The wimpy, fattening slob Rothman ought to be thrown out of ANY district: a follower, never good enough for the good people of our district. I say let's work for Pascrell AND to get Garrett out.
Bill
10:47 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
How is it Pascrell's seat? I believe the new 9th has more in common with Rothman's old district than it does with Pascrell's.
MadInNJ
10:54 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
In reality, it shouldn't be anyone's seat, but based on where they currently reside, Pascrell lives in the new district, and Rothman doesn't. Even the Dems final map kept Rothman in the district with Garrett, albeit with a few more Bergen county towns to give him a slightly better chance - http://www.politickernj.com/files/CongressionalDistricts_StatewideOverview_ANSI-F_PosterSize.pdf
dj
10:56 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Boy the phot-ops are are really going to be busy with these two who get their pictures taken at the opening of a public toilet.
Joe videodummy
12:10 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Redistricting the borders was intentional, meant to expose Rothman for his true self-worth. A strong proponent of Xanadu, Arc, and the loaded dice of Corzines personal monopoly game, he lost his punch in 2010 when his Chief of Staff, Robert "chin" Decheine was arrested Maryland for soliciting sex from a 15 year old (police string operation). This came shortly after his 2009 "Center of Public Intrgrity" hearings, and he no longer can expect any free money from Jeff Zucker or Dennis Oury. This, compiled with his recent divorce rubber stamps his future as a political leader in the 2nd most corrupt district in NJ.
Even his campaign credit card is marked "Stolen".
Al Scala
9:22 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Unfortunately, in a political sense, this primary race will cost both a lot of money.. I think it will be a drawn out battle between two pretty good congressmen. Pascrell, a Paterson native is a good political street fighter.He's much older in age than Rothman. It's really a shame to lose one of them. Rothman has a reputation of bringing in federal money to his district, and has done well in that area. In Passaic County towns, Pascrell has the ability to reach across party lines and gain support from republicans. However, in a primary, that's not going to help much. Being a Paterson native myself, I know Bill Pascrell and like him very much. I'm a republican and can't support him in the primary by vote.
Walter Weglein
2:14 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Can anyone tell me if Rothman ever really did live in Fair Lawn? Why do I have my doubts that the former mayor of Englewood who has family in Fair Lawn ever really did live here?
b.smith
1:40 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Canton fair/ assistant / interpreter / translator / http://www.onlybro.com
http://www.onlybro.com
Products out-sourcing
Comercial assistant for China visit accompany
Payment terms negociating
Inspection during production and container loading
Logisitcs and customs consultation
Exports documents checking
Web site building
Company registration consultation