Gottheimer Pushes Garrett To Debate Him

GLEN ROCK, N.J. — Josh Gottheimer claims Rep. Scott Garrett has not yet accepted an invitation to participate in a series of public debates where they can talk about the issues affecting 5th District openly and honestly.

Gottheimer’s camp reached out to Garrett June 8 to set up a five-debate schedule for the fall. Garrett, a seven-time incumbent, responded in a letter dated the next day that once his “constituent services calendar is finalized for the fall,” he would contact Gottheimer about “finding an opportunity” for the two to appear in a debate.

Gottheimer sent Garrett a follow-up letter dated July 13 asking when the congressman plans to take Gottheimer up on the offer.

“The voters of the 5th District deserve to hear from both sides and a public debate is the best medium to inform them,” said Jeff Raines, communications director for Gottheimer’s campaign. “Is Garrett just that far behind in setting up his fall schedule? Or is he deploying this excuse as a tactic to activity avoid debating?”

Garrett’s campaign manager Sarah Neibart said that “actively” serving his constituents “will always be his “first priority.”

“As soon as scheduling accommodations can be made for debates, we will make such arrangements,” Neibart said. “Congressman Garrett welcomes a chance to debate issues with his Democratic challenger, however, unlike his challenger, the Congressman has other obligations on his time than campaigning for election.”

Gottheimer’s latest debate inquiry comes on the heels of the fiscally conservative Democrat receiving the backing of allegedly dozens of Republicans on Monday.

Gottheimer said at Monday’s announcement that he thinks of himself more of a “Marge Roukema Democrat” and that he is tired of “extreme, ideological partisanship, on both sides,” getting in the way of progress.

Garrett claims Gottheimer “manufactured” the list and that it contains Democrats and unregistered voters.

Jeff Raines, communications director of Gottheimer’s campaign, said that there were names of registered Republicans who do not live in the 5th District.

In an email to constituents, Garrett boasted about his effort to reduce the tax burden brought on by over-regulation, and the continued bailouts that have cost taxpayers billions, he said.

Rules and regulations need to change and become “smarter,” Garrett said, to allow American businesses to succeed and improve the economy.

Garrett’s announcement comes almost exactly one year after refusing to pay dues to the National Republican Congressional Committee because it actively recruited gay candidates and supported homosexuals in primaries, according to a Politico report.

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Photo: Josh Gottheimer