From the Courtroom to Congress: Why Attorney Tiffany Burress is Running to Make History in NJ
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Passaic NJ, The political landscape in North Jersey just got a major jolt of star power and legal muscle. Tiffany Burress, a seasoned Passaic County attorney and wife of former New York Giants Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress, has officially launched her campaign for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District.
Her target? Longtime Democratic fixture Rep. Nellie Pou, in a district that has recently transformed into one of the most watched battlegrounds in the country.
“Busting Through Doors”: The Burress Platform
A first-time candidate, Tiffany Burress is positioning herself as a “real-world” alternative to the “political class.” A former college track star and a successful attorney specializing in workers’ compensation, Burress argues her experience fighting for the “little guy” in court translates directly to the needs of North Jersey residents.
“I built my career outside of politics, in the private sector,” Burress said in her announcement. “For fifty years, Nellie Pou has made a career out of politics and party insiders. She’s become part of a political class increasingly disconnected from everyday life.”
Why NJ-9 is a National GOP Target
New Jersey’s 9th District—anchored by cities like Paterson, Clifton, and Passaic—was once considered a Democratic stronghold. However, the 2024 election flipped the script:
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The Trump Factor: Donald Trump narrowly carried the district in 2024, fueled by historic shifts among Latino and working-class voters.
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The Margin: Rep. Nellie Pou won her seat in 2024 with 51% of the vote, a unexpectedly slim margin against an underfunded opponent.
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Historical Stakes: If elected, Burress would be the first person of color to represent New Jersey in Congress as a Republican, and the first GOP congresswoman from the state since 2003.
The Road to the Primary
Burress enters a GOP primary that has been active for months. She faces Clifton Councilwoman Rosie Pino, who has been campaigning since last July. While Pino had a head start, her fundraising has remained modest (roughly $150,000 as of late 2025), and local GOP leaders have largely remained uncommitted—until now.
The race opened up further in December when perennial candidate Billy Prempeh bowed out, alleging establishment interference and clearing a path for a new face to take the mantle.
The Challenges Ahead
While the district trended Republican in 2024, 2025 told a different story. In the recent gubernatorial race, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill reclaimed the 9th District by nearly 20 points, suggesting the “Trump surge” may be difficult to replicate in a mid-term cycle.
Furthermore, Rep. Pou has used her first year in Washington to build a formidable war chest, reportedly raising over $1 million for her re-election bid. Burress, entering five months before the primary, must move quickly to close the fundraising gap and introduce herself to voters beyond her famous surname.
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