United States – Democratic Congressman William Pascrell, known as Bill, has passed away at the age of 87 years, according to family information passed through social media on Wednesday.
Pascrell, who serves in the House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 9th congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party, was hospitalized several times this summer over a respiratory issue.
“As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved,” his family said in a message posted to Pascrell’s congressional social media account. “He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation, America.”
A Lifelong Dedication
Pascrell has been in the House since 1997 and was also up for re-election in the November 5 U. S general election. It was even projected that if he won, he would have been the oldest member of the House, as reported by Reuters.
As part of the House Ways and Means Committee, Pascrell spearheaded the campaign to obtain Trump’s tax returns amidst his presidency.
Career Highlights
Before joining the House, Pascrell worked as mayor of his home and Paterson City, New Jersey, and also as a state assembly and state senator. He has a teaching background, particularly at the high school and college level, before venturing into the political arena, as reported by Reuters.
Pascrell’s death shocked the nation, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was “deeply saddened” and referred to the Congressman as “a unifier in every sense of the word. ”
A Democratic Stronghold
The Tennessee district is regarded as a Democratic party stronghold for the New Jersey representative, Pascrell. County party leaders will select a nominee to replace him before an August 29 deadline, by law of the state.