Passaic Mayor Hector Lora has endorsed Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) for re-election to a fifth term in Congress from New Jersey’s 5th district.
The move has little impact on Gottheimer’s 2024 race, but the out-of-district endorsement offers an apparent hint that Lora, the mayor of the state’s 16th largest municipality, might be prepared to back Gottheimer if he seeks the Democratic nomination for governor next year.
“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Josh over the years. He cares deeply about our cities, our children, and our Jersey families,’ said Lora. “Josh understands the critical role mayors play in our State — and he knows how to get things done.”
Lora called Gottheimer a “tireless fighter, problem solver, and champion for Jersey families.”
“As Mayor, I’m always thinking about how best to improve the lives of everyone who lives in Passaic — making sure kids get a good education, people are safe and have the opportunity to provide for their families, and everyone has access to affordable housing, health care, and child care,” he said. Josh shares these same Jersey Values for his district and for everyone in New Jersey, and knows that good ideas come from the ground up — from our cities and towns.”
A former Clinton White House speechwriter, Gottheimer unseated seven-term Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) in 2016 in a district that Republican Donald Trump carried. Lora was serving his second term as a Passaic County Freeholder that year and backed Gottheimer, whose district includes part of Passaic County.
“We need leaders who aren’t afraid to fight for us and do the hard work to solve problems and make all of our communities better — and that’s Josh,” Lora stated.
Lora became acting mayor in November 2016 after Alex Blanco was convicted of accepting more than $100,000 in bribes from developers. Blanco had replaced Sammy Rivera, who pled guilty to bribery in 2008.
Following the death of Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson) last week, there was speculation that Lora might run for Congress – and there was a realistic path for him to win the Democratic nomination. But Lora declined to run, putting his commitment to the people of Passaic to serve as their mayor first.
“Serving as a congressman is a tremendous honor and privilege, and I understand why many aspire to take on such a role. However, I firmly believe in the importance of finishing the work you start and honoring your commitments,” Lora told the New Jersey Globe. “I made a promise to the people of Passaic to give my all and work diligently to serve the residents of this city, as well as those who work, visit, and seek to partner with us to improve our communities.”