Gottheimer endorsed by mayor from Sherrill’s district

A Democratic mayor from Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s congressional district has endorsed Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) for the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 10 primary election.

Livingston Mayor Ed Meinhardt cited Gottheimer’s support of working families and problem-solving skills as his reason for breaking with Sherrill, but stopped short of criticizing the four-term congresswoman.

“I want a governor that I can depend on to help my residents thrive, and who will lower taxes and costs,” Meinhardt said.

Meinhardt, who served as president of a local synagogue before unseating a Republican councilman by 34 votes in 2014, cited Gottheimer’s support for Israel.

“Josh will always fight to protect our values, like he did when he stood by our ally, Israel, after it was brutally attacked by terrorists,” he said.  “He’s led efforts to combat antisemitism and keep our communities safe, and I firmly believe he is the right leader for Jersey.”

Sherrill has already secured endorsements from Deputy Mayor Shawn Klein and Councilmen Michael Vieira and Ketan Bhuptani, County Commissioner and Democratic Municipal Chair Pat Sebold, and Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie (D-Livingston).  Another Livingston councilman, Al Anthony, has not taken sides in the governor’s race.

Another gubernatorial candidate, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, has also made inroads in New Jersey’s 11th district with endorsements from South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty; four ex-mayors are also backing Fulop: Frank McGehee of Maplewood, Thad Kobylarz of Chatham, and Raymond McCarthy of Bloomfield.

Gottheimer has endorsements in another municipality Sherrill represents in Congress: North Caldwell, where he grew up.  Three of the four Democrats on the borough council – Matthew Atlas, Anthony Floria-Callori, and Stephen Weinstein – along with Democratic Municipal Chair Jann Skelton, and former school board president Mindy Opper – have endorsed him.

“As governor, I will tackle Essex County’s affordability crisis head-on so that every family has a shot at success,” said Gottheimer.  “I’ll be the ‘Lower Taxes, Lower Costs’ Governor that our state needs.”