NJ Ledger Reports: Thrown into a politically unfriendly district last week, U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman today signaled he intends to challenge a fellow Democrat in June’s primary.
Rothman (D-9th Dist.) began telling Democrats today that he plans run against Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th Dist.) in the newly formed 9th Congressional District, according to three Democrats. Technically, Rothman would not have to move to the new district to run there, although he is expected to.
Rothman was thrown into a Republican-leaning district with Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5th Dist.) last week after the congressional redistricting process concluded. Since then, there has been speculation that rather than run an uphill fight against Garrett, Rothman would move and challenge Pascrell in the newly-drawn 9th District, which will contain parts of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties — including many of the towns Rothman currently represents.
Rothman, 59, began informing Democrats of his decision today, according to the sources, who did not want to speak publicly in advance of an official announcement from Rothman, which is expected this week.
Rothman’s spokesman, Aaron Keyak, would only refer to a Friday statement in which Rothman said he was reviewing “all my options” and would make a decision soon.
Passaic County Democratic Chairman John Currie, who supports Pascrell, said Rothman “would be letting down New Jersey Democrats by running outside of his hometown and passing up an opportunity to unseat right-wing radical Scott Garrett.”
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