If Nellie Pou makes it past Republican Billy Prempeh and wins the 9th district congressional seat in the general election, it triggers some immediate changes in the New Jersey legislature.
The first his her 35th district State Senate seat. Her resignation must occur before noon on January 3, 2025; Democrats would then hold a special election convention between 7 and 35 days from the date she steps down. Leading candidates are Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson), Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson), and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.
Pou will also vacate three other legislative posts: Senate Commerce Committee Chair; Majority Caucus Chair, which puts her in leadership; and a coveted seat on the Judiciary Committee. All three posts are picked by Senate President Nicholas Scutari. It’s unlikely that any one senator would get all three posts.
The 2024 elections will likely create two additional vacancies in the legislature: Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Delran) is the favorite to win the 3rd district congressional seat. That sets up a special election convention to fill his seat. Two veterans – Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and Willingboro Councilwoman Tiffani Worthy, a U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate – are considered to be leading candidates.
Conaway’s departure would open up the chairmanship of the Assembly Health Committee, along with his honorific post as Deputy Speaker.
Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Cherry Hill) is almost certain to win her race for Camden County Clerk. Her departure from the Assembly on or about January 1 will similarly trigger a special election convention to replace her. The frontrunner is Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane (D-Cherry Hill), a Gold Star Mother.
