Moderate Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey announced Friday that he would seek to become the Garden State's next governor, entering what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field.
Gottheimer has represented his state's 5th Congressional District, which lies in northern New Jersey, bordering New York, since 2017. He has served as the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which helped shape President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Chips and Science Act and gun safety law.
With Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, unable to run due to term limits, a few Democrats have already jumped into the race —including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop — and several others are expected to run.
Gottheimer's House colleague, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., a retired Navy helicopter pilot, is expected to launch her bid for governor on Monday, according to a source familiar with her plans.
In a video launching his campaign, Gottheimer acknowledged that he would share similar goals as other Democrats running for governor, including fighting the incoming Donald Trump administration "on the major issues."
"From health care to the environment to gun safety, every candidate shares the same goals, and on the issue of abortion rights, we will all stand up to Trump as extremist attacks on women’s health care," he added.
But one distinguishing feature of his campaign, Gottheimer said, is that he is "focused like a laser beam on the need to lower your taxes and lower your costs."
The campaign launch video featured Gottheimer's sister, who said her brother has "always been a doer and a problem solver."
The video also spotlighted Mary Frances Berry, an author and activist who served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 1980 to 2004, and someone whom Gottheimer has long called a mentor.
"He stands up for what he believes, and you can count on him to deliver," Berry said in the campaign video.
Early in his career, Gotteheimer, 49, worked on then-President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and as a speechwriter in the Clinton White House. During the Obama administration, Gottheimer worked at the Federal Communications Commission before joining Microsoft.
In the 2016 election, Gottheimer defeated incumbent GOP Rep. Scott Garrett.
