Garrett Challenger To Receive Endorsement Of State Police Union

WYCKOFF, N.J. — The union representing more than 33,000 police officers in New Jersey announced Friday it will endorse Democrat Josh Gottheimer to represent the state's 5th Congressional District.

The president and vice president of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association will be on hand to announce the endorsement in Paramus Monday morning.

Gottheimer, a Wyckoff resident, bills himself as socially progressive and fiscally-conservative. He previously was a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and had been a former executive with Microsoft.

It is the third endorsement from a state or national organization or union Gottheimer has picked up over seven-term incumbent Scott Garrett.

Gottheimer was recently endorsed by the National Association of Realtors and the union representing more than 5,000 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and dispatchers in New Jersey.

Gottheimer continues to out-fundraise Garrett, although Garrett started the campaign with more cash on hand. Gottheimer has raised $2.3 million, compared with only $1.1 million for Garrett, since the beginning of 2015, information from the Federal Election Commission shows.

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PHOTO: Josh Gottheimer at a rally accepting an endorsement. — Patch file photo