SECAUCUS AND BEYOND – Secaucus welcomed a new congressional leader after U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) beat Republican Rabbi Shmuley Boteach of Englewood for the 9th district Tuesday night. Pascrell will begin his ninth congressional term and replaces U.S. Rep Steven Rothman (D-Englewood), who has served Secaucus the past sixteen years. Last year redistricting combined portions of Congressional Districts 5, 8, and 9 into two districts and created a new 9th that included Secaucus and Kearny as the only two Hudson County municipalities alongside Bergen and Passaic municipalities.
The redistricting originally pitted Rothman, who lived in Fair Lawn, against Republican Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) in the 5th District. But Rothman moved to Englewood, choosing to run in the 9th against fellow Democrat Pascrell. Pascrell emerged victorious in the primary.
Pascrell, 75, carried his message of being a “fighter” throughout his campaign and soundly defeated Boteach in Secaucus with 68 percent of votes as of the last count on Tuesday, which did not include provisional or absentee ballots. Boteach, 45, an American Orthodox rabbi, is also a television host and author of books like “Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion.” He promoted tax and health reform among his issues during his campaign.
Secaucus also helped re-elect President Barack Obama and Senator Robert Menendez, who both won the majority of local votes.
Secaucus gets new U.S. Representative with Pascrell win in 9th district
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