Nellie Pou

Nelida Avila Pou ( POH; born May 20, 1956) is an American politician and business administrator serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 9th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the New Jersey Senate from 2012 to 2025 and the New Jersey General Assembly from 1997 to 2012, representing the 35th legislative district. When Pou was sworn into the Assembly on January 29, 1997, to succeed Bill Pascrell, she became the first woman and the first Hispanic to represent the 35th district. Pou served in the Senate as the Majority Caucus Chair. Pou also chaired the bicameral New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus since 2006. From 2022 to 2023, Pou was also president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. On August 29, 2024, Pou was selected to replace Rep. Bill Pascrell on the ballot as the Democratic candidate in New Jersey's 9th congressional district following his death eight days earlier.