Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) launched his long-expected campaign for governor Friday morning, instantly becoming one of the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy.
In a small, packed diner in South Hackensack, Gottheimer declared he would be New Jersey’s “lower-taxes, lower-cost governor” in a speech mainly focused on affordability. In his announcement, the congressman touted his bipartisan, centrist record and signaled he would take that lane in the Democratic primary.
“I hear it all the time from moms and dads, kids coming out of college, and seniors: They love Jersey like we all do, but they just can’t afford to stay, or raise their families, or even take the family to a diner. That has to change,” Gottheimer said. “It’s time for a reboot. I’m launching my campaign for governor to cut your taxes and to make Jersey more affordable.”
Gottheimer mentioned a broad array of issues New Jerseyans face — transit woes, New York City’s revived congestion pricing plan, potential threats from President-elect Donald Trump, and more. But he repeatedly, unfailingly returned to the Garden State’s cost of living: “Life in Jersey has become too damn expensive.”
The Democrat said he would announce most policy proposals in the coming months, but still offered one major idea Friday: a “claw-back czar.” The idea revolves around a consistent refrain he’s offered during his time in Congress, that states like Louisiana are unfairly gifted federal tax money that disproportionately originates from New Jersey.
“We also need a new claw-back czar in Jersey who will focus on one thing: fighting for every federal dollar and dragging ‘em back to Jersey,” Gottheimer said. “Our federal tax dollars go there. They should be coming back here.”
The recently re-elected congressman touted his co-chairmanship of Congress’ bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, saying he’s learned to work with opponents to pass legislation like common-sense gun safety laws. He said pragmatism is needed to make policy changes that breakthrough to voters.
“If last week’s election told us Democrats anything, it says the people of Jersey don’t think politicians are listening to them enough. To their needs, their dreams, and to basic common sense,” Gottheimer said. “If I make a promise, I follow through.”
Gottheimer didn’t take questions from the press.
Ellie, the congressman’s daughter, introduced Gottheimer before his announcement. Paul Juliano, the Bergen County Democratic chair, also spoke, and Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton led the pledge of allegiance.
State Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood) said he’s endorsing Gottheimer because of his work on issues like New York’s congestion pricing plan, which was temporarily paused until New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revived the plan earlier this week.
“He has come to my district, the 37th district, on so many issues, to fight for the people of the 37th,” Johnson said. “And I think he’s the right person to fight for the people of New Jersey.”
Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs) said she supported Gottheimer’s view of the state’s values. Several campaign signs, in fact, simply said “Jersey values.”
“He’s done great for our legislative district, and I think he and I have very similar values and certain political views as far as being more of a moderate,” Park said.
State Sen. Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus) also endorsed Gottheimer, calling him a “tremendous ally” on congestion pricing and affordability.
In Congress, the 49-year-old Gottheimer has been one of the most prominent Democratic supporters of Israel and battled with New York over its plan to institute congestion pricing for drivers entering Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
Gottheimer’s plans to run for governor have been speculated for years — he likely only waited until Friday to avoid issues related to matching funds under New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Law.
The congressman received some vital endorsements long before his Friday announcement. In July, for example, Hudson County Democratic Chairman/County Executive Craig Guy and Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian Stack endorsed Gottheimer, a blow to Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
Gottheimer, a former Clinton White House speechwriter, was re-elected to a fifth congressional term last week. The congressman performed 10 points better than Vice President Kamala Harris’ 50%-48% win in the 5th congressional district.
He first won a seat in the House in 2016, defeating seven-term Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) in a district carried by Donald Trump.
Gottheimer’s announcement comes days before Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) is expected to announce her gubernatorial campaign. Other Democratic candidates include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller.