McIver wins reelection despite pending federal case

McIver secured another term representing the Newark-area district, winning a rematch against Bucco, whom she also faced in 2024. With about one-third of ballots counted on election night, McIver had roughly 86% of the vote and Bucco about 13%. The district is heavily Democratic.

The victory comes as McIver, 40, contests federal charges stemming from a May 2025 confrontation with immigration officers at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility. She has denied wrongdoing and argued that the prosecution violates constitutional protections for lawmakers carrying out their official duties.

A federal appeals court ruled in August that two charges could proceed and returned a third to a lower court for further review. McIver later sought a rehearing before all the judges on the appeals court. Her case remains ongoing.

McIver entered Congress in 2024 after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Before that, she spent six years serving on Newark’s city council, with two years as its presiding officer. Bucco, a Kenilworth small-business owner, has served on the Belleville Board of Education and made two congressional runs. His campaign emphasized public safety, policing and efforts to root out misconduct in government.

McIver’s reelection adds to the history of federal lawmakers facing criminal charges while in office. Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted in 2024 on 16 federal counts, including accepting bribes, committing fraud and serving the interests of a foreign government. In January 2025, a judge imposed an 11-year prison term on him.

Voters Keep McIver in Congress as ICE Case Continues

McIver’s reelection in New Jersey’s heavily Democratic 10th District sends her back to Congress while she fights a federal prosecution arising from a May 2025 encounter at an ICE detention facility. She defeated Republican Carmen Bucco in their second congressional contest; with about a third of ballots counted, she held roughly 86% to his 13%.

McIver denies wrongdoing and argues that prosecuting her violates constitutional protections for lawmakers performing official duties. An appeals court has allowed two counts to proceed and sent a third back for further review. She has petitioned the appeals court judges to take another look at the ruling.

The case places the boundaries of lawmakers’ official work and federal enforcement at the center of McIver’s next term. Her victory does not resolve the criminal case, which remains ongoing.

McIver entered Congress in 2024 after Rep. Donald Payne Jr. died. She spent six years as a member of Newark’s city council, serving as its leader for the final two. Bucco emphasized law enforcement, public safety and government corruption during his campaign. The decisive margin in a strongly Democratic district underscores that his challenge did not dislodge McIver as she faces the legal fight ahead.

McIver Wins Another Term Despite Unresolved Federal Charges

McIver’s reelection gives a second full term to a Democrat facing federal charges over a 2025 confrontation with immigration officers. She beat Republican Carmen Bucco in a rematch in a heavily Democratic district. With about one-third of votes counted, McIver had approximately 86% and Bucco 13%.

The case is not over. McIver denies wrongdoing and says the prosecution violates constitutional protections for lawmakers carrying out official duties. But an appeals court allowed two counts to move forward in August, while returning a third for additional review. McIver has asked the full appeals court to revisit that ruling.

Bucco, a small-business owner and former school board member, made policing, community safety and clean government central to his campaign. His challenge ended in a lopsided result, leaving McIver in office as the federal case continues.

McIver took her seat in 2024 after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Her reelection adds to the record of lawmakers serving while facing criminal charges. The outcome does not settle the allegations or the court fight; the two counts permitted to proceed remain a consequential test of McIver’s defense.