Nellie Pou

Nellie Pou is a Democratic politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 9th congressional district, having assumed office on January 3, 2025. Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Pou spent over three decades working for the City of Paterson in various administrative roles, including Director of Human Services and Business Administrator. She began her legislative career in 1997 when she was appointed to the New Jersey General Assembly to fill a vacancy, becoming the first woman and the first Latina to represent the 35th Legislative District. She served in the Assembly until 2012 and subsequently in the New Jersey Senate from 2012 to 2025, where she held leadership positions such as Senate Majority Caucus Chair and Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. In August 2024, Pou was selected by Democratic leaders to replace the late Representative Bill Pascrell on the general election ballot. She won the election in November 2024, making history as the first Latina and person of Puerto Rican descent to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her tenure in the state legislature, she was known for her work on social justice, human rights, and juvenile justice reform. In Congress, she serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where she focuses on public safety, transportation planning, and regional infrastructure needs.

Pou advocates for the protection and expansion of the Affordable Care Act, focusing on lowering prescription drug costs and ensuring access to Medicaid for mothers and working families. Her economic platform emphasizes tackling the affordability crisis by reducing the costs of housing, groceries, and childcare, while also supporting small business growth. On immigration, she supports comprehensive reform, including protections for DACA recipients and the New Jersey Dream Act, and has called for greater oversight and accountability in immigration detention facilities. Additionally, Pou is a proponent of environmental justice and climate action, having co-sponsored the Global Warming Response Act in the state legislature and advocating for policies that hold polluters accountable.