New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District

Nellie Pou

Share

Congresswoman Nellie Pou was born and raised in a welcoming blue collar family in Paterson, NJ. Nellie’s father was a worker for the City of Paterson, and her mother was a homemaker and the rock of the family who always set an extra seat at the table for family and guests. While her parents worked hard to make ends meet, they instilled in Nellie and her siblings a strong work ethic and a commitment to community and public service that guides her to this day.

Nellie attended Paterson public schools and later attended Kean University, before returning to Paterson where she began her career in public service. Nellie served in various key roles for the City of Paterson, including Director of Human Services and Business Administrator. In 1997, she made history as the first Latina elected to represent the 35th Legislative District in the State Assembly. In 2012, she was elected to the New Jersey State Senate, where she served in several leadership positions, including as Senate Majority Caucus Chair. She was elected to represent New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024.

Throughout her career, Nellie has been committed to improving the lives of New Jerseyans. From fighting for better schools for our kids to more affordable health care, to criminal justice reform – Nellie has been at the forefront of New Jersey’s and America’s toughest fights.

As a mother and grandmother, Nellie knows New Jersey families are struggling with a high cost of living and is committed to bringing down prices. Nellie is also standing up for seniors and Social Security and Medicare, is committed to building more affordable housing, and is an unshakeable voice on behalf of democracy. Nellie has dedicated her life to the community that raised her, and in Congress she will never forget where she comes from.