Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-35) of North Haledon wants to run for the 35th District Senate seat, which was jarred in the aftermath of legislative redistricting.

"I have officially submitted my letter to be considered for the nomination of the state senate," said Pou, who submitted her letter today to Passaic County Democratic Committee Chairman John Currie.

"She told me she is interested in the seat," Passaic County Democratic Committee Chairman John Currie told PolitickerNJ.com.

The chairman does not anticipate hammering together an outcome until at least Wednesday, latest Thursday, when he's scheuled a meeting of the county committee.

Today's official news regarding a legislative map confirms state Sen. John Girgenti's (D-35) odd-man out status. Rerouted to the 38th District, his hometown of Hawthorne is no longer in the 35th District, although his spokesman said as late as today that the veteran senator could relocate to Paterson to hold onto his seat.

If Pou can secure the party line and win election in the heavily Democratic 35th, she would become the second Latina in the state Senate, provided state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) also wins re-election. 

"I really look forward to serving in the upper house," said Pou. "I have learned a great deal, having served for 14 years in the Assembly."

Girgenti's and Pou's running mate, Assemblywoman Elease Evans (D-35) of Paterson is retiring this year. If Pou moves up, that would leave two Assembly vacancies for the county committee to fill.

"There will be two seats available if I'm blessed to get the nomination," said Pou. "Certainly I'm going to wait for the process and whoever the two candidates are, we will run together as a team."

There is no word yet on who Paterson Mayor Jeff Jones supports for the senate seat, but Pou is seeking his backing.

"I enjoy a very good relationship with the mayor and I've reached out and left a message on his phone," she said.