WASHINGTON – Six days into his new job, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.) has his first big appointment.
The Camden County Democrat has been named one of two freshmen on House Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee, a panel that advises the caucus on its policy positions and helps determine committee assignments -- a key piece of Congress' inside game. The appointment was made by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.).
Norcross, in an interview, said he had lobbied his colleagues for the post and was glad to land it, although it adds to an already busy transition from state Senate seat to Congress. He was sworn in in Washington Wednesday.
While he's new to Congress, the Norcross name is of course well known in Democratic politics. The Congressman's older brother, George Norcross, III, is one of New Jersey's most powerful political insiders, and is well known on a national level as well. The two top Democrats in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and Pelosi, both campaigned for Donald Norcross this year, even though he was running in a deep blue district against underfunded and inexperienced Republican Garry Cobb.
“I am humbled and honored,” to be appointed, Norcross, a longtime labor leader, said in a news release. “I thank Leader Pelosi and my colleagues for the trust they placed in me and I’m looking forward to learning from them and getting to work on improving our economy and creating jobs.”
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