Democratic Congressman and Tenafly resident Josh Gottheimer, who has represented New Jersey’s Fifth District since 2017, is officially running for the position of New Jersey’s governor. Gottheimer announced his candidacy in November 2024 and will compete in a challenging Democratic primary scheduled for June 10, 2025. Positioning himself as the “lower taxes, lower costs” candidate, he aims to make New Jersey’s cost of living a central issue for voters in a state with the highest property taxes in the nation.
Gottheimer was born and raised in New Jersey. His immigrant great-grandparents started in Linden, and his mother, a teacher, graduated from Asbury Park High School. His father, a small business owner, grew up in West Orange. Gottheimer himself grew up in North Caldwell and attended West Essex High School before pursuing higher education at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School.
“I love New Jersey. [I] grew up here, [am] raising my kids here, and I think it’s a great state,” Gottheimer said. “Things are just too expensive for people right now, and between taxes and the cost of everything–from utility bills to childcare and income taxes–I’m very focused on trying to make Jersey more affordable for everybody.”
Gottheimer’s political journey began as a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, laying a foundation for a career devoted to public service. He later worked under President Obama, served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and held a position at the Federal Communications Commision (FCC). In 2016, he ran for Congress and became the first Democrat in 84 years win his district’s seat.
Over the years, Gottheimer has distinguished himself as a problem-solver through his role as co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which has allowed him to work across party lines on a range of many critical issues such as gun safety legislation, healthcare for seniors, and climate change.
A Campaign Focused on Affordability and New Jersey Values
Gottheimer’s campaign is built around a series of initiatives designed to address key issues faced by New Jersey residents. His plans include lowering costs, cutting taxes, making childcare more affordable, upholding New Jersey values, and safeguarding reproductive rights.
His “Lower Costs Plan for Jersey” aims to tackle the high cost of living through initiatives such as reducing child-related expenses, lowering utility bills by expanding energy supply and infrastructure investment, and streamlining the building process while repurposing unused spaces.
“My priority is reducing costs and lowering taxes to ensure people can remain in a community that offers excellent schools and safe neighborhoods,” he said.
Gottheimer’s “Tax Cut Plan for Jersey” is all about giving residents direct financial relief by cutting property and income taxes. His plan includes a proposal to cut property taxes by 15% and deliver $500 annual rent rebates to renters. He also plans to implement a “Family Tax Credit” for middle-class families and launch a “Retire in Jersey” initiative to support seniors.
“I think cutting taxes is overall the most important thing… and helping renters pay their rent,” he said. “So between lower taxes and lower rent, that’s, to me, the biggest issue that we can immediately help families with–both income tax and property taxes.”
One of the most pressing concerns for New Jersey families is the high cost of childcare. Gottheimer plans to expand the state Child Tax Credit to help cover childcare expenses, aiming to ease the financial burden especially on working parents.
“I’m deeply focused on addressing childcare, lowering childcare costs, and improving education,” he said. “Reducing preschool costs is also a key priority for me.”
Protecting “Jersey Values”
Gottheimer is committed to protecting what he calls “Jersey Values,” which include safeguarding women’s healthcare, expanding family leave and Pre-K programs, improving K-12 education, increasing community policing, combating street crime, and fighting antisemitism.
As a strong advocate for reproductive rights, Gottheimer plans to protect and expand access to healthcare and reproductive services in New Jersey. He supports a constitutional amendment in New Jersey to protect reproductive freedoms and has promised to oppose any efforts to weaken them.
“New Jersey has always had strong protections for reproductive rights and freedoms,” he said. “We need to do more… I think we should be proud to be on the front lines of protecting these freedoms and looking at how we help people from other states who are unable to get an abortion by showing them that we have the healthcare available for them.”
A Tenafly Resident’s Run for Governor
Josh Gottheimer’s campaign for governor is rooted in the New Jersey values he has championed throughout his career—affordability and the protection of fundamental rights. As a Tenafly resident, he understands the challenges that New Jersey families face and plans to bring his proven bipartisan problem-solving approach from Congress to the governor’s office. His campaign tagline, Josh4Jersey, reinforces his commitment to putting New Jersey first.
The Democratic primary race is shaping up to be highly competitive, but by this time next year, Gottheimer just might make history as Tenafly’s first governor.
