Gottheimer launches ‘Jumpstart Jersey’ to promote sharing of best ideas for governing

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) today launched his “Jumpstart Jersey” initiative to create a centralized collection of strong governing ideas from across the state to help elected officials from town halls to Congress.

Gottheimer, a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2025, is planning a six-figure ad buy to publicize Jumpstart Jersey with a video and website encouraging New Jerseyans to share their best ideas.

“Over the past seven years, the best ideas I’ve helped bring to Washington to solve the toughest of problems have come from my discussions right here in Jersey — with mayors and small business owners, with labor and faith leaders, with cops, firefighters, and veterans, with nonprofit leaders, and with folks in diners up and down the state,” Gottheimer said.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could better share and leverage those excellent ideas and avoid reinventing the wheel?”

The four-term North Jersey congressman wants Jumpstart Jersey to serve as a clearinghouse for ideas Gottheimer has picked up in meetings with local officials and community leaders from across the state.  He plans to post some of the ideas submitted to him on his website.

Gottheimer’s announcement comes at the start of the New Jersey League of Municipalities annual convention in Atlantic City, where several potential statewide candidates are seeking attention.

The ad features Gottheimer speaking directly to the camera and includes images of Bruce Springsteen, pizza, Taylor Ham, and Albert Einstein.

Script: “Hi, I’m Josh Gottheimer, and today, we’re launching Jumpstart Jersey. Here’s what it is: Over the past seven years, the best ideas I’ve helped bring to Washington to solve the toughest of problems have come from my discussions right here in our state, with mayors and small business owners, with labor and faith leaders, with cops and veterans, and with folks like you, in a diner just like this one.  Now, I want to bring even more of you in on this conversation, to continue getting the best ideas from people across Jersey, about how we can make our state even better.  We have some big issues in front of us, but also some big opportunities. From creating and bringing more jobs for everyone to making life more affordable with lower taxes and lower childcare costs for our children.  So folks can afford to stay here – whether that’s after graduation or after retirement.  To ensure we have even better schools, safer communities, and cleaner air for our kids.  To protect the Jersey values that bring us together.  And I’ll keep traveling around the state, meeting with local leaders and all of you, to capture the best ideas no matter where they come from.  Because that’s the Jersey way.  Common sense ideas.  No nonsense.  Getting things done and having each other’s backs.  In Jersey, we fight hard and go big.  We’ve given the world great music, great food, pork roll and Taylor Ham.  Great thinkers.  And, in the good years, even great sports.  From the beach to the big cities, from the burbs to small towns, we’re all from Jersey, and have something to share.  And as always, I’m here to listen.  So please head to JumpstartJersey.com. Join our effort and submit the next great idea. Because the future of Jersey starts here with you.”

Gottheimer is paying for the digital video using his congressional campaign warchest.

He kicked off his Jumpstart Jersey initiative in Fort Lee, where he spotlighted local officials who have focused on improving their communications with residents, the construction of community gardens, and revitalizing the downtown area.

In the 1970s, State Sen. James Wallwork (R-Short Hills) won acclaim for using 10% of his annual legislative salary as cash awards to state employees who came up with the best suggestions for cutting government spending.  Wallwork’s “Incentive Program” drew dozens of submissions, generating millions in uncontroversial cost-savings measures.

Once, an employee in the statehouse mailroom devised a plan to streamline postage and messenger service expenses, saving the state roughly $500,000 annually.  Wallwork gave him $400 out of his own pocket for that suggestion.