Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) announced he will run for New Jersey governor next year in a campaign video as incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) is term-limited.
Gottheimer enters the race as a top Democratic candidate among a host of state Democrats jockeying for the blue-leaning seat. He recently won reelection to a fifth term in the House.
“Today, I’m launching my campaign for Governor to lower your taxes, lower your costs, and to make Jersey affordable again,” Gottheimer said in a post on X. “I will help you and your family get ahead and I’ll do it while protecting our Jersey Values.”
Today, I’m launching my campaign for Governor to lower your taxes, lower your costs, and to make Jersey affordable again. I will help you and your family get ahead and I’ll do it while protecting our Jersey Values. pic.twitter.com/XrZm595yD4
— Josh Gottheimer (@Josh4Jersey) November 15, 2024
The New Jersey Democrat touted his problem-solving abilities as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the video.
“A big problem we have right now? Things are just too expensive,” Gottheimer said. “I’m a problem-solver, so as governor, I’ll take on our affordability challenge and get things done for you.”
He then called the presidential election result a “horrible loss for America” and thinks every candidate running for governor agrees “we should stand up to Trump.”
Gottheimer later laid out “three ideas to help make Jersey thrive and make life more affordable.” Among those ideas, Gottheimer promised to cut property and income taxes, create more affordable childcare, and “battle Trump to restore SALT deduction.”
The State and Local Tax Deduction is a way for taxpayers to lower their taxes further with a deduction on taxes already paid.
But in order to make it to the top office in New Jersey, Gottheimer has a long way to go. He’ll have to battle his way through a Democratic primary featuring the Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, the Mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop, and others, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ).
Sherrill hasn’t entered the race yet, but her announcement is expected next week. Former New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney is running as well.
As for the Republican side of the race, 2021 gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is expected to lead the pack. He came within about 3 points of upsetting Murphy three years ago. He could benefit from the relative red wave the state experienced in the presidential election as many counties swung to the right unexpectedly for President-elect Donald Trump.
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Ciattarelli will likely receive Trump’s endorsement in the 2025 race after declining to seek it in 2021.
The Republican endorsed Trump earlier this year after straddling the line on the former president at times during the last governor’s race. Trump said Ciattarelli would’ve “won easily” if he had sought his endorsement.