ABOUT

NELLIE POU

Member | NJ-09

As a mother and grandmother, Nellie knows what New Jersey families are facing and will continue to work to create good paying jobs and bring down costs. Entering office in 2025, Nellie became the first Latina and first person of Puerto Rican descent to represent New Jersey in Congress.

A CHAMPION FOR NEW JERSEY

Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Nellie Pou’s parents came to the Garden State from Puerto Rico in 1953 to start their lives and raise a family. While her parents worked hard to make ends meet, they instilled in Nellie and her four siblings a strong work ethic and commitment to their community and public service that guides her to this day. Nellie served in various roles for the City of Paterson, ranging from Director of Human Resources to Business Administrator. During her tenure in the City of Paterson, she made history in 1997 as the first Latina elected to represent the 35th Legislative District in the State Assembly, succeeding the late Congressman Bill Pascrell after he was elected to Congress. In 2012, she was elected to the State Senate, where she currently serves as the New Jersey Senate Majority Caucus Chair.

Throughout her career in public service, Nellie has been committed to improving the lives of New Jerseyans. From fighting for better schools for our kids to more affordable healthcare, to criminal justice reform– Nellie has been at the forefront of some of New Jersey’s toughest fights. As a mother and grandmother, Nellie knows what New Jersey families are facing and will continue to work to create good paying jobs and bring down costs. From housing to groceries, Nellie advocates for families that are being squeezed by big corporations driving up costs.

Nellie is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, which is focused on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Summer Olympics, and the celebrations marking America's 250th birthday in 2026.