ATLANTIC CITY – Democratic State Committee Vice Chair Peg Schaffer asked a question on everyone’s mind: what will be the impact of an impeachment investigation on the local elections?

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) took a crack at that.

“I think it’s going to have a profound influence,” said the Patersonian. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to leave by the wayside those issues we’ve been fighting for: wages, retirement income, taxes the federal government places upon us.”

We’re not gleeful. It was the most remorseful day. This is serious business and we’re going to treat it as serious because we’re the adults in the group.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) went next.

“We didn’t come to this impeachment process willingly,” he said. “It’s because of what Trump has done. We’re not excited. We are reluctantly impeaching this guy because of the bad things he’s done. Don’t let the other side give the impression we’re not doing other things.”

Then U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8).

“The impact this impeachment inquiry will have on local elections – I hope it moves our base,” said the Hudson County Democrat. “I hope it makes our base turn out.. We have to elect more people who think like us. I would hope you see this as something that is going to make you move and participate in the process. We lost Hillary Clinton because a lot of people didn’t participate in the process. We cannot allow that to happen again.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) stayed silent on the question.