His name surfaced this year as a strong possibility for Congress in the 9th District. He’s got the experience in local office, mayor no less, of a tough city to govern, with some real accomplishments on the record, including overseeing the long-awaited reopening of Larry Doby Field. But Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh ended up backing state Senator Nellie Pou (D-35) to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell in the U.S. House of Representatives – while also finding time to involve himself in the Democratic Party repurposing of a neighboring congressional district.

That’s where Lamonica McIver’s running in a special election Wednesday against Republican contender Carmen Bucco. McIver, the council president of the Newark City Council, wants to fill the remainder of the term of the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. in the 10th Congressional District.

Sayegh wants her in there, too.

Tonight, as McIver prepares for her election this week, Sayegh held a fundraiser for her at the house of Paterson Corporation Counsel Aymen Aboushi. Notable attendees included Essex and Democratic State Party Chairman LeRoy Jones.

Pictured above: Mayor Andre Sayegh with Paterson First Lady Farhanna Balgahoom Sayegh, with Council President McIver.