U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) is celebrating U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) in light of his retirement, stating “There is nobody you’d want in a foxhole more than Albio.”
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Albio Sires is a giant in every sense of the word. For the last 16 years, I have had no better partner in Washington and North Jersey fighting for our neighbors. Albio has battled for Amtrak and our commuters, he has battled for immigrants and human rights, and his battled to give the Garden State its rightful share of the pie we are so often denied,” Pascrell said in a statement.
“When we visited the terrible ICE facility in his district on Father’s Day, Albio was literally banging on the doors to get us in and get accountability for the men inside. There is nobody you’d want in a foxhole more than Albio. Our entire delegation will miss his leadership dearly. He’s my buddy and I’m going to miss him greatly. We have big shoes to fill.”
Sires confirmed his retirement yesterday, effective after he finishes out his eighth term next year.
While there are no declared candidates just yet, Rob Menendez, Jr., a Port Authority commissioner and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), already has the support of Sires, state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, and other members of the local Democratic party.
While Menendez, Jr.’s eventual candidacy on the line appears inevitable at the moment, the progressive wing of the party has vowed not to allow this race to be uncontested.
