District 5 General Election Profile: Josh Gottheimer – Wyckoff, NJ Patch

NJ DISTRICT 5 — Congressman Josh Gottheimer is running for reelection in the House of Representatives 5th Congressional District general election on Nov. 3. Gottheimer faces Republican challenger Frank Pallotta.

Gottheimer, 45, is the current representative of the 5th district. A Wyckoff resident, Gottheimer and his wife, Marla, have two children, Ellie and Ben.

Gottheimer graduated from West Essex High School before attending the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, while also being named a Thouron Fellow at Oxford.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have been honored to serve and fight for the families of the Fifth District and I’m completely committed to continuing that fight. These past few months have been beyond difficult and heartbreaking, but our community is continuing to stand strong like Jersey always does. Since taking office, as my record shows, I’ve stood strong for our Jersey values. I’ve worked hard to protect affordable health care and a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, to protect our families, seniors, and frontline health care workers throughout the COVID crisis. I fought to get lead water out of our schools, to keep our air and water clean, and keep schools safe from gun violence. I fought to protect Social Security and Medicare, to re-instate SALT, lower our taxes, and to stand up for equality and racial justice. We need someone who will keep fighting for us. I can get things done. I’m proud of how much we’ve achieved, but there’s a lot more work to do.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

COVID relief. North Jersey families and small businesses are struggling and need help. Along with the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which I am honored to Co-Chair, I recently introduced the March to Common Ground COVID relief package to help break the gridlock and get something done for our families, small businesses, and communities. Families are hurting; we need to get the negotiators back to the table.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent is a far-right, Tea Party extremist who spent his career in the subprime loan space ripping off seniors, veterans, and families to make a quick buck for himself. I’ve spent my career focused on helping North Jersey families, small businesses, veterans and first responders.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Fighting for our Jersey Values — lowering taxes, making health care more affordable, standing for our veterans and first responders, and making sure future generations have pure water to drink and clean air to breathe.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since taking office, I have shown that I will work with anyone to get things done for North Jersey. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus — 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans — I have led efforts to move past the partisanship and get things done, including, most recently, introducing our March to Common Ground COVID relief package.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

“Always focus on the families of your district first, and the politics of Washington second.”

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

No matter how hard it seems, no matter what obstacle they throw at us, we are very blessed to live in the greatest country in the world – a nation of boundless opportunity. If we work together, take care of our own, and remember how we got here, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us.