Garrett, Gottheimer Race Is One Of House's 'Most Compelling': Report

WYCKOFF, N.J. - The race for New Jersey's 5th Congressional District is shaping up to be one of the "most compelling" races in this year's slate of races, according to the New Jersey Herald.

Gottheimer has emerged as the "strongest Democratic challenger" to run against Garrett since he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, the Herald reported.

Gottheimer, a fiscal conservative from Wyckoff, looks poised to tighten the more than $1.1 million fundraising gap between he and Garrett, the report said. Gottheimer had $1.25 million in his campaign account Dec. 31 and Garrett only had nearly $2.4 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.

The Herald reported that some prominent donors include prominent people associated with President Obama. Jay Carney, Obama's former press secretary, gave $500 and Stephanie Cutter, Obama's deputy campaign manager for his first presidential campaign, gave $2,700 in two separate donations.

Gottheimer is a former Microsoft executive and speechwriter for President Bill Clinton.

While Gottheimer seems to be gaining more support as time goes on, Garrett seems to be losing it.

Garrett has been in hot water ever since he made anti-gay comments last year. Since then, corporate donors, including Goldman Sachs and Capital One, previously announced they would be discontinuing their financial support of Garrett.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Tim Eustace protested outside of UBS's Paramus office. UBS has donated to Garrett in the past, the Herald reported.

.The 5th Congressional District includis portions of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties.

Rep. Scott Garrett, left, and Josh Gottheimer