LGBTQ Organization Endorses Josh Gottheimer

Rep. John Gottheimer earned the endorsement of Garden State Equality, a nonprofit that works for the advancement of LGBTQ rights and equality.

Garden State Equality's Executive Director Christian Fuscarino announced the organization's endorsement of Gottheimer at the annual Equality Walk in Asbury Park Tuesday.

"We are proud to throw our support behind Josh Gottheimer for Congress," Fuscarino said. "He is an ally that we need to represent us in Washington, and he supports our values."

Gottheimer (NJ-05) said in a statement it was a "huge honor" to receive the endorsement. (See related: 5 Questions With 5th District Congressional Election Candidate)

"Ending discrimination is not a Republican or Democratic issue, it’s a-good-for-America issue," Gottheimer said. "It’s a-good-for-the economy issue. And it’s a good for Jersey issue.”

Gottheimer, a Democrat, is a member of the bi-partisan LGBT Equality Caucus and introduced the bipartisan Freedom From Discrimination In Credit Act to prohibit credit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Gottheimer, a first-term congressman, is running for re-election against John McCann, a powerful lawyer from Oakland. Gottheimer defeated longtime incumbent Scott Garrett in 2016.

Gottheimer received the endorsement of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association recently. The union represents more than 6,000 active firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers in New Jersey. (See related: State Firefighters Union Endorses Gottheimer For Re-election)

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Rep. Josh Gottheimer at the Equality Walk in Asbury Park Tuesday. (Courtesy of Josh For Congress)