The USA Today Network New Jersey Editorial Board has endorsed Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) for a sixth term in Congress, praising his bipartisan approach, experience and ability to deliver for North Jersey residents.
The endorsement continues a decade-long streak of support from The Record, which first backed Gottheimer in 2016, when he unseated seven-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage).
“Voters in both parties in the 5th Congressional District should return Gottheimer to Washington,” the editorial board wrote, citing his knowledge, experience and relationships across party lines.
The board said Gottheimer would be particularly well-positioned if Democrats regain control of the House in the November 3 midterm elections.
It praised his centrist positions on health care, national security and energy, along with his focus on reducing the cost of living in North Jersey.
The endorsement also suggested that Gottheimer’s moderate-to-conservative positions on Israel and taxes could provide a counterweight to the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
The editorial board devoted particular attention to Gottheimer’s concerns about artificial intelligence, including legislation he has proposed to establish safeguards against potentially dangerous technology.
“This is not science fiction or ‘The Jetsons,’” Gottheimer told The Record. “A lot of the things we worried were our worst nightmares about some of this technology are coming true.”
Gottheimer described AI as posing a potentially “seismic” risk to humanity and argued that regulating the technology should be a central part of the Democratic agenda, alongside affordability, education, infrastructure and economic opportunity.
The board gave Republican challenger Sean Kirrane credit for proposing an ambitious overhaul of health care that would replace Medicare, Medicaid and other programs with universal baseline coverage, although it questioned the proposal’s financial and political feasibility.
Kirrane also won praise for supporting AI regulation and offering a plan to reduce homelessness.
But the editorial board criticized Kirrane for relying on Republican talking points when discussing Trump’s military strategy in Iran and immigration policies.
The endorsement concluded that Gottheimer’s experience and commitment to bipartisan cooperation make him the stronger choice.
“Voters in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District should feel confident in casting ballots for Gottheimer,” the board wrote, describing him as a seasoned moderate prepared to use congressional oversight to restrain the Trump administration.
USA Today Network was formerly known as Gannett.