Two candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District on June 4, 2024—incumbent Rep. Bill Pascrell (D) and Mohamed Khairullah (D).
New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein wrote that the election will “undoubtedly focus on the war in Israel and Gaza.” The 9th Congressional District includes Patterson, New Jersey, which, according to the city’s website, is home to the “second-largest Arab-American community in the country.” Politico’s Dustin Racioppi wrote that the enclave “makes up a relatively small bloc in a district that includes two dozen towns in heavily Jewish Bergen County.”
Khairullah said he was running because “[Pascrell] has shown a lack of empathy and sympathy to all residents of his district, particularly our Palestinian brothers and sisters.” Pascrell called for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, “the Israeli government must work with our allies to secure an immediate ceasefire that brings freedom to all the remaining hostages held by Hamas terrorists and allows increased humanitarian assistance to aid a civilian population in need.”
Pascrell represented New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District from 1997 to 2013. Due to redistricting, Pascrell was elected to represent the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District in 2012. If Pascrell wins re-election he would be, at the time of his swearing-in, the oldest member of the House and the second oldest member of Congress behind Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Pascrell said he is running for re-election to advocate for the 9th Congressional District: “There are two kinds of people that run for Congress. One wants to change the world, and the one which I tried to model myself after is one that tries to change their neighborhood, tries to change the district or town to make it better.”
Khairullah is the Mayor of Prospect Park, New Jersey. He was elected in 2005. His professional experience includes work as an educator. According to NorthJersey.com, Khairullah “made national news” after being disinvited from a 2023 White House Eid al-Fitr celebration because the Secret Service denied him security clearance. Khairullah was placed on the federal terrorism watchlist in 2019, but his name was removed before the event at the White House. Khairullah said his campaign is “dedicated to promoting peace, rebuilding trust with the community, and championing the values of unity and progress: It’s time to move forward.”
On March 29, 2024, U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi issued a preliminary injunction blocking the use of the county line ballot design in 2024 Democratic primaries in New Jersey. According to Politico: ”The county line is New Jersey’s unique primary ballot design where party-backed candidates are placed in a single column or row from the highest office to the lowest. Candidates not endorsed by county parties are often placed less prominently on primary ballots. Candidates who are on the county line have been shown to have a significant electoral advantage.” At the time of the injunction, the county line ballot design was used in 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Before Judge Quraishi issued the injunction, all three counties in the district endorsed Pascrell.
As of April 28, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election Solid Democratic. Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election Safe Democratic.