Josh Gottheimer smacked back at Steve Fulop, a likely opponent in next year’s Democratic primary for governor, for suggesting that he and Mikie Sherrill are “insincere and disingenuous” for seeking re-election to Congress while eying another office.
“Talk about the height of hypocrisy from Flip-Fulop,” Gottheimer said. “Given his declaration that being mayor of one of the largest Jersey cities is a 24/7 job, I presume Mayor Fulop will stop leaving the boundaries of Jersey City over the next year to campaign for a statewide office that he started running for before either of us ever got to Congress.”
Fulop thrashed the two Members of Congress for asking voters to send them back to Washington so they could quickly enter the race for governor of New Jersey. He accused them of misleading voters in their House district about their “intentions to serve.”
“During these important times in a surely close Congress, you outright lie to your constituents about wanting to represent them in Washington when, in reality, you have no intention to do so,” stated Fulop. “It begs the question about what else a person lies about and what their goals truly are.”
If Democrats regain a House majority by a slim margin, any incumbent could face pressure to remain in their seats, including those who might want to be considered for an executive branch appointment if Kamala Harris wins the presidency.
Similarly, speculation that Rep. Jeff Van Drew might be up for a cabinet post would fizzle out if Donald Trump does not want to lose a one-seat GOP House majority.
Seven New Jersey governors elected under the current State Constitution were not holding public office when they ran; four were.