Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell has passed away at the age of 87.
The New Jersey lawmaker was serving 28 years in the House of Representatives for the state’s 9th Congressional District and was hospitalized after an incident last week.
He recently spent 28 days in treatment and required “respiratory assistance,” but then suffered a setback that forced him to return to a rehabilitation center.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away this morning,” his family said in X.
Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell dies at 87
‘As our United States Representative, Bill fought until his last breath to return to the job he loved and 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 having dedicated his entire life to our great nation, the United States.”
Pascrell had been hospitalized in July for respiratory problems and had spent some time in intensive care. He had planned to run for reelection to the House of Representatives.
The 14-term congressman had been discharged from hospital on August 7 but was readmitted to the hospital just four days later.
The fierce Trump critic was the second-oldest member of the House, behind Democrat Grace Napolitano of Texas, who is also 87. The oldest member of Congress is Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who turns 91 next month.
Pascrell is the second New Jersey Democrat to die while serving in the House this year, following Donald Payne, 65, who suffered a heart attack in April and later succumbed to complications.
County party leaders will now be able to choose a new Democratic candidate to face Republican Billy Prempeh, Pascrell’s opponent in the past two cycles. Pascrell defeated Prempeh 55-42 in 2022.