U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th), who much like his colleague in the House — Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th), has also tried to paint himself as a fighter.
Quite literally in fact, with an AI-generated ad showing a muscled-up Gottheimer boxing in the ring against President Donald Trump. But the real question is, can he generate the political muscle he’ll need to win this primary race? Money helps, and Gottheimer recently transferred $10 million from his congressional campaign into a Super PAC. He says he’s just playing by the rules. And that he’s the only candidate with a plan to cut taxes.
“One, cuts property taxes by about 15% for everyone. Two, helps middle class folks with a tax cut, and says to renters we’re gonna give you a rebate to help you out. And to seniors, who are on fixed income and really struggling, it gives them a bonus if they stay in Jersey when they hit 70. Because we want people to stay and be close to their loved ones,” said Gottheimer.
Josh for Jersey, as he calls himself, has been staunchly pro-Israel, and has repeatedly called for U.S. backing of Israel in the conflict overseas. That has led to protest from some Palestinian supporters. He was also the only Democrat from New Jersey to vote in support of the Laken Riley Act, that allows detention of noncitizens accused of a crime. He was also perhaps the loudest candidate decrying the congestion pricing plan in New York, which is now well underway. Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship at Rowan University, says at the end of the day, New Jerseyans care most about their wallets.
“Are you going to vote on the Middle East or are you going to vote on affordability and standing up to Trump. I think affordability and standing up to Trump will be the bigger issues at the top of people’s minds, and that’s why you’re going to see more messaging on that,” said Dworkin.
In a race where most attacks have been against Sherrill — who is seen as the frontrunner — no one is talking about accusations against Gottheimer that came out several years ago, accusing the Congressman of creating a toxic work environment for his staff. It seems for now, the focus is on the issues. Gottheimer says his are healthcare, the environment, gun safety and reproductive rights.
Gottheimer, like Sherrill and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, has about $5.5 million to spend in these last weeks to try to differentiate himself. A recent internal poll conducted by Gottheimer puts him within 5 points of Sherrill. But according to that poll, Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka are even closer. This is now what elections look like without the political machine picking the candidates. But ask the average person in New Jersey who any of them are — and you will likely to get no more than a shrug.
Gottheimer is scheduled to join Sherrill, Baraka, Fulop and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney in NJ Spotlight News’ “Conversations with the Gubernatorial Candidates” on Monday at 7 p.m. on NJ PBS and the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel. This is one of the mandatory public events for candidates receiving public financing.
