Nellie Pou

Nelida Avila Pou ( ; born May 20, 1956) is an American politician and business administrator serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 9th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the New Jersey Senate from 2012 to 2025 and the New Jersey General Assembly from 1997 to 2012, representing the 35th legislative district. When Pou was sworn into the Assembly on January 29, 1997, to succeed Bill Pascrell, she became the first woman and the first Hispanic to represent the 35th district.

Pou served in the Senate as the Majority Caucus Chair.

On August 29, 2024, Pou was selected to replace Rep. Bill Pascrell on the ballot as the Democratic candidate in New Jersey's 9th congressional district following his death eight days earlier.

Early life and education Pou was born on May 20, 1956.

Career Pou had spent much of her career working for the City of Paterson, where she had served as business administrator (2014–2018), assistant business administrator (2003–2014, 1997–1998), director of human services (1986–1997), and CETA training and education coordinator (1975–1983).

She had also served on the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect (1997–2016) and on the Passaic-Bergen County HIV Health Services Advisory Council (1993–1997). She was the Assembly's Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2005 and the Assistant Minority Leader from 2000 to 2001.

Committees Committee assignments for the 2024–2025 legislative session were: Commerce (as chair) Judiciary (as vice-chair)

U.S. House of Representatives Elections

2024 On August 21, 2024, incumbent Congressman Bill Pascrell died. On August 29, Passaic County Democratic committee members nominated Pou to run to represent New Jersey's 9th congressional district, facing Republican Billy Prempeh in the 2024 election. Democratic leaders rapidly agreed to choose her to replace Pascrell; the deadline for replacing Pascrell on the ballot was midnight that evening.

In the 2024 election, the district shifted dramatically to the right, narrowly voting for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after having previously voted for Democrat Joe Biden over Trump by 20 points in 2020. Pou won by almost 5 points over Republican Billy Prempeh, a much narrower margin than previous congressional races.

2026 Pou is running for re-election in 2026. In August 2025, The New Jersey Monitor reported that Pou "is facing increasing attacks from progressives and Republicans as she gears up for her first reelection fight next year." Republicans have criticized Pou for her votes against Republican spending bills and for her opposition to their immigration policies while progressives have criticized her for taking a trip to Israel that was paid for by a pro-Israel lobbying group.

Primary elections were held on June 2, 2026, in which Pou won the Democratic nomination uncontested.

Committee assignments For the 119th Congress: Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation (Vice Ranking Member) Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Caucus memberships Congressional Hispanic Caucus New Democrat Coalition Congressional Progressive Caucus

Personal life Pou is married to Judge Richard Freid, and they live in North Haledon. She has two children from a previous marriage

Election history