The increasingly competitive 9th Congressional District is attracting fresh attention from prospective GOP nominees ahead of the 2026 Midterm cycle.
Clifton Republican Councilwoman Rosemary Pino announced this week that she wants to challenge freshman Democrat Nellie Pou. Pino has served Clifton, the district’s second most populous city, since 2019.
“I never planned on running for Congress, but I’ve watched government grow more and more disconnected from the people it’s supposed to serve,” Pino explained in her announcement video. “I believe in this district. I believe in us. And I know that together, we can lead with courage, protect the American Dream, and deliver real results.”
Three-time NJ-09 Republican nominee Billy Prempeh has already announced his intention to run against next year. Prempeh came within less than 5-points of defeating Pou in 2024, while President Trump carried the formerly blue district by a single point.
Here’s Pino’s video:
