A North Jersey congressman thrown into an alien district when congressional maps were redrawn last week will challenge another Democratic incumbent in the primary.

Steve Rothman says he'll run against Bill Pascrell Jr. in June. Rothman, a 59-year-old liberal, was merged into a district with Republican Scott Garrett.

Rather than square off against one of the most conservative members of Congress in a new district that favors Republicans, Rothman decided to run against the 74-year-old Pascrell.

Several towns that Rothman represents, including part of Teaneck and Englewood, have been put into Pascrell's district. The Fair Lawn resident wouldn't have to move to challenge Pascrell, though he could move back to Englewood, where he is a former mayor.

 (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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