New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., one of the longest-serving members of Congress, has been hospitalized for the second time in a matter of weeks, raising concerns about his health as he seeks a 15th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Politico reported that the 87-year-old congressman, who was recently discharged from a three-week hospital stay for a respiratory infection and fever, was readmitted to a different hospital on Sunday, according to his chief of staff.
Pascrell was initially treated at St. Joseph’s in Paterson, where he spent three weeks battling a respiratory infection and fever.
During this time, he required breathing assistance, underscoring the severity of his condition. After his discharge, Pascrell was moved to a rehabilitation facility to continue his recovery.
However, just days after leaving the rehab center, Pascrell was readmitted to St. Barnabas in Livingston on Sunday evening. His chief of staff, Ben Rich, confirmed that the congressman is currently in stable condition. “We will provide updates whenever possible and remain hopeful he will be able to resume his rehabilitation soon,” Rich stated.
This latest hospitalization comes at a critical time for Pascrell, who has served in the House since 1997. As the second oldest current member of the House, his health has been a growing concern, especially following heart surgery in 2020 to relieve blocked arteries.
Pascrell’s health issues have prompted speculation within political circles about whether he might be pressured to step aside. The deadline to replace him on the ballot is August 29, leaving little time for any potential changes.
Despite these concerns, Pascrell remains committed to his re-election campaign. He won the Democratic primary in June, securing 77 percent of the vote against Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah. This victory positioned him for a rematch against Republican Billy Prempeh in November, who is challenging Pascrell for the third consecutive time.
Pascrell’s district, though less dominated by Democrats after recent redistricting, has not been flagged as particularly competitive by major political publications. However, his ongoing health issues have raised questions about his ability to continue serving effectively.
Passaic County Democratic Chair John Currie expressed shock upon learning of Pascrell’s recent hospitalization but voiced his continued support. “I am confident, and until I have a conversation with him, I am 100 percent supportive of his candidacy. He’s a reasonable man. We’ve worked together for a long time. And yes, I’m going to support him,” Currie said. He added, “If he’s not able to run, he will say so.”
In light of Pascrell’s age and health, some Democrats have been positioning themselves as potential successors should he decide to step down. However, two prominent figures, Shavonda Sumter and Andre Sayegh, opted not to run this year, leaving the party to focus on supporting Pascrell’s current bid.
Sumter, who has been closely monitoring the situation, stated that there has been “no talk of any changes” and emphasized that the immediate focus remains on Pascrell’s health. “Right now we’re all just praying for his health and strength,” she said.
Should Pascrell be unable to continue his campaign, the party’s nominee would be selected by Democratic committee members from the district’s towns in Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties. This process would need to occur swiftly, given the approaching election and the August 29 deadline for ballot changes.
As the congressman’s health remains in the spotlight, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of his political career. Pascrell, who has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant over his decades-long tenure, now faces one of the most challenging periods of his career.
While the outcome of his health and its impact on his re-election campaign remain uncertain, his supporters are hopeful that he will be able to resume his duties and continue serving the people of New Jersey’s 9th District. The next few weeks will undoubtedly be a period of intense focus on his recovery and the political implications of his condition.
In summary, New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr.’s recent health setbacks have raised significant questions about his ability to continue his long-standing career in the House.
With the election just months away and his condition still in flux, both his supporters and the broader political community will be watching closely as events unfold.
