we begin with the political jockeying over The Late Congressman Bill Pascal's seat Democratic candidates vying for the chance to run in the November general election have been dropping out at record pace.

Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh and assemblywoman Shavonda Sumpter quickly withdrew their names from contention in the last 24 hours after state senator Nelllie Pou all but locked up the backing of party leaders in Bergen pic and Hudson counties which make up the ninth congressional district the contest is playing out at warp speed Pascrell's untimely death last week gave the Democratic party just days to coals around a new candidate before County committee members meet for a vote at this Thursday's convention where they'll cast a secret ballot vote to determine the party's new nominee for the seat as senior correspondent Renda Flanigan reports the strong show of support for po appears to have knocked out chances for other Congressional hopefuls they fielded questions for an hour three democrats vying for the late Congressman Bill Pascrell's now vacant seat in the ninth congressional district but even before this forum to discuss policy politics had already positioned a winner County Chairs for pic Bergen and Hudson Democratic committees had all endorsed Senator Nelly Poe of North hailen as their compromised candidate my deep understanding of our constituency combined with my extensive experience ensur me that I am prepared to hit the ground running I on day one by this morning assemblywoman shyv Sumter had dropped out at midday assemblyman Benjie Wimberly texted I haven't made a decision yet he's collected endorsements from local Democratic leaders but Patterson mayor Andre seya withdrew even before last night's Forum sponsored by the New Jersey globe on New Jersey and riters rebovich Institute for New Jersey politics the party boss compromise apparently aimed to quickly quash any potential bickering according to writers m rasmon i mean I can't blame the chairs but on the other hand do you not have any confidence in your county committee people to make a decision you know and I guess we know the answer to that Passaic County chair John Currie had originally endorsed Sumpter but he switched to PO noting her election would send a New Jersey Latina to Congress for the first time adding with 27 years of legislative experience and a strong background in city government Senator Po'us uniquely qualified to represent our community in Washington I believe she's the best choice to carry on the legacy of Congressman Bill pascrell but some point he decided he was going to switch because there was this sense of compromise for PO for many parties uh they sort of follow the uh the mold of uh you know those who are loyal those who put in their time those who wait their turn get rewarded after the 87 year old pasel passed away last week Democrats faced a very short Runway with an August 29th deadline to name a replacement for the November ballot that's not enough time for a primary where all of the district's 192,000 registered Democrats could vote so the choice Falls to CD 9's elected committee members normally about 800 folks but hampered by significant vacancies in pic pic County seems to have a very hierarchical way of doing things wait your turn um so when Bill Pascrell left the assembly Nelly Poe replac him in the assembly so logically what would follow is that PO is going to replace pasel again on Facebook say appointed to his apparent lead in a snap poll of a few hundred registered cd9 Democrats commenting I'm very encouraged the poll sponsored by a Super PAC affiliated with the Council on American Islamic relations a group that criticized pascarel over his pro-israel stance in the Gaza War all three Democrats last night supported Pascal's position I come from a community that is remarkably re uh diverse and where people respect their neighbors this is the real world lesson that I intend to bring to Congress if po does head to DC it opens up her senate seat which sets up another contest amongst Sumpter Wimberly and seya the committee members meet to vote this Thursday the day after Bill Pascal's funeral mass at Patterson's Cathedral of St John the Baptist I'm Brenda Flanagan and J Spotlight news