Representative Bill Pascrell, a fixture in New Jersey politics for decades, has died, leaving a second seat in the state’s Democratic delegation vacant just days before the November voting deadline.

He was 87 and had been in and out of hospital this summer due to a respiratory infection.

Pascrell’s family announced his death on Wednesday via his X-Account.

“Our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away this morning,” the post said. “As our United States Representative, Bill fought until his final breath to return to the job he loved and the people he loved. Bill lived in Paterson his entire life and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He now rests in peace after dedicating his life to our great nation of America.”

Pascrell is the second New Jersey congressman to die this year. Donald Payne Jr. died in April from complications of diabetes. A special election to replace him in Congress will be held in September, and party members in his district will nominate a candidate for his seat in November.

Because Pascrell died before the August 27 deadline, Democratic party leaders will likely replace him in the November election. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic.

Pascrell was born and raised in Paterson and has represented his district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1996. He fought for funding for Great Falls National Historical Park and for federal grants for firefighters.

Before becoming a congressman, Pascrell served as a member of the New Jersey State Assembly and mayor of Paterson.

“I grew up in South Paterson, New Jersey,” Pascrell told Gothamist last spring during his primary campaign. “And I’ve worked hard for 28 years to show that I listen. Whether it’s social issues, whether it’s personal issues that people come to my office about, whether it’s Social Security, whether it’s health care, whether it’s Medicare.”

He leaves behind his wife Elsie, three children and five grandchildren.