Rep. Josh Gottheimer jumps into 2025 race for New Jersey governor

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.

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.

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.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., who has served alongside Gottheimer since 2019, is another name that has been floated in the state as a potential candidate in next year’s race.

A spokesperson for her congressional campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.