Gottheimer has raised whopping $23 million for other Democrats this cycle

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) raised $1.15 million in the third quarter and has a formidable $14.5 million war chest, but his fundraising for fellow Democrats has overshadowed his own campaign haul, helping bring in over $23 million nationally in the fight for control of the House.

Gottheimer’s close alliance with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could position him for greater influence in Congress if Democrats reclaim the House majority and elevate Jeffries to Speaker, especially as Democrats increasingly see his role in taking the majority, if that happens.

The North Jersey Democrat has contributed $275,000 directly to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps fund House candidates – including those who disagree with him on some issues – for their general election races.   He also donated $75,000  to the Bergen County Democratic organization and has also helped local races this year.

At home in New Jersey’s 5th district, Gottheimer is expected to defeat political newcomer Sean Kirrane, an underfunded Republican, in his bid for re-election to a sixth term

Since his first campaign a decade ago, Gottheimer, a human fundraising machine, has raised a leviathan $45 million to oust a seven-term incumbent in a district that Donald Trump also carried in 2016.  Over the last ten years, Gottheimer has raised over $82 million for himself and others.

In addition to his campaign account, Gottheimer brought in $305,000 for his federal PAC over the last three months and now has $983,000 cash-on-hand.

A former Clinton White House speechwriter and Microsoft executive, Gottheimer launched his campaign to unseat seven-term Rep. Scott Garrett in March 2015 and raised $4.8 million to help him flip the 5th district by four percentage points, even as Donald Trump was winning the same district by one point.  He’s been re-elected four times, defeating Republican Mary Jo Guinchard by 11 points in 2024.