First Gottheimer TV ad casts congressman as a problem solver

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) today released his first TV ad of the 2022 cycle, “Problem Solver,” highlighting the congressman’s record of accomplishments and his bipartisan approach to legislating.

Script: (Gottheimer): There are extreme sports and extreme thrills. One thing that drives me nuts: extreme politics. That’s why I work with both parties to get funding to fix our roads and bridges, and deliver resources for police, veterans, and our small businesses. I helped lower the costs of prescription drugs and defend a woman’s right to choose. And I always look out for ways to cut waste and cut taxes. I’m ranked the most bipartisan member of Congress, because I’m a problem solver, and I work for you – not the extremes in either party. That’s common sense; those are Jersey values. I’m Josh Gottheimer, and I approve this message.

Notable among the issues Gottheimer lists in the ad is abortion, which has become a rallying cry for Democrats since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. Democrats have seen their political fortunes significantly improve since that ruling – a potential liability for Gottheimer’s Republican opponent, Frank Pallotta, who was endorsed by the anti-abortion group New Jersey Right to Life earlier this year.

Gottheimer and Pallotta previously faced each other in 2020 under more Republican district lines, a contest Gottheimer won 53-46%. This year, in a substantially bluer district, national Republicans had hoped U.S. Marine veteran Nick De Gregorio would be their standard-bearer, but Pallotta narrowly beat him in a contentious primary.

Since his arrival in the House in 2017, Gottheimer has indeed positioned himself as among the chamber’s most moderate Democrats, co-chairing the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and frequently doing battle with the party’s left wing. 

That record earned Gottheimer a primary challenge in 2020 from Glen Rock Councilwoman Arati Kreibich, whom he dispatched 67-33%. Gottheimer faced no primary opponents this year, allowing him to build up a gargantuan $14 million warchest for his battle against Pallotta, who has $64,057 on-hand.