New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell is back in the hospital and it’s sparking questions as to whether he’ll run for reelection in November.
The 87-year-old Pascrell was discharged from the hospital earlier this month after a nearly month-long stay for respiratory issues. Over the weekend, Pascrell was readmitted to a hospital in the Garden State.
Pascrell is one of the oldest members of Congress. He has served in the House since 1997, earning a plum seat on the Ways and Means Committee. Although he’s quite spry when healthy, sources close to Pascrell and House Democratic leadership sources say that the recent health setbacks have been alarming.
There’s a political clock ticking for Pascrell. Although his office says he isn’t retiring and will run for reelection, senior House Democrats are not so sure. Pascrell has until Aug. 27 to get off the ballot so that he can be replaced by another Democrat.
Pascrell’s district, which is anchored in Paterson, N.J., has been solidly Democratic. President Joe Biden won the seat by 19 points in 2020. Pascrell is facing Republican Billy Prempeh for the second straight election cycle. Pascrell topped Prempeh by 11 points in 2020.
— Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan
