Josh Gottheimer Filed Nominating Petitions For Congressional Candidacy

WYCKOFF, N.J. – Democrat Josh Gottheimer filed nominating petitions with nearly 1,100 signatures from registered voters in the fifth congressional district in his campaign unseat longtime Republican incumbent Scott Garrett.

Gottheimer, a pro-business Democrat, said he received support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents for his candidacy. He collected signatures from residents of all four of the counties he represents: Bergen, Passaic, Warren, and Sussex. The Primary Election is June 7.

The race is a key one for House Democrats, who view Gottheimer as “the strongest Democratic challenger” to run against Garrett since he was first elected.

“They are sick of the Garrett Tax. Families here deserve to have someone who has their backs and will get things done,” Gottheimer said.

Gottheimer said he plans to repeal the "Garrett Tax," which is the “meager return on the federal tax dollars district constituents pay because Garrett refuses to fight for our fair share.”

Gottheimer said the district gets back just 33 cents for every $1 it sends. This is due to Garrett’s perceived lack of support of police and firefighter grants and him voting against public safety, infrastructure, and education programs.

Garret has faced an ever-increasing uphill battle for reelection. It started in July when he privately told GOP leaders he wouldn’t donate to the National Republican Campaign Committee because it had supported gay candidates, Politico reported. Several companies, including PNC Bank and State Farm, have said they will stop donating to Garrett.

Garrett told the Associated Press last week that he will “be supporting people who support the Republican platform and what my beliefs are.”

The fifth district includes Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hillsdale, Mahwah, New Milford, Oakland, Paramus, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Westwood, Wyckoff, and most of Teaneck.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Sign up for Patch N.J. email newsletters here.

Pictured: Scott Garrett, left, and Josh Gottheimer/Patch file photo