Gottheimer Declared Winner In Close 5th District Race

Democratic incumbent Josh Gottheimer won a close race against Republican John McCann in the general election for the House of Representatives District 5 in New Jersey. The race could have an impact on the balance of power in Congress next year.

According to the latest polling numbers by Politico and The Washington Post, it was a tight race, with McCann getting 99,073 votes to Gottheimer's 117,753 with 82.6 percent of precincts reporting.

Gottheimer's win helped Democrats win a majority in the House.

Gottheimer is a freshman representative from Wyckoff. Previously, he was a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and an executive with Microsoft.

James Tosone was a libertarian running on the ballot. Wendy Goetz ran on the Trade, Health, Environment ticket.

Heading into the election, Politicio rated the race as "likely Democratic" with Gottheimer considered a "heavy favorite" to win a second term.

President Trump narrowly won the district in 2016. Gottheimer defeated then-longtime incumbent Scott Garrett, a Republican, that year.

McCann is a powerful lawyer from Oakland. He defeated Mayor Steve Lonegan, an ex-gubernatorial and senate candidate, in the Republican primary.

Gottheimer has long touted his work of reaching across the political aisle to work with Republicans. He is co-chair of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 48 congressional representatives that work together to come to a consensus on issues.

The 5th Congressional District includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties. Most of the district's 647,000 residents, 75 percent, live in Bergen County.

Gottheimer has received endorsements from the State Police and firefighters unions, and Garden State Equality, a LGBTQ rights organization earlier this election season.

The nonstop pouring rain did not keep voters home in what could be a record turnout midterm election. Even with the various issues facing local communities, President Trump was on their minds.

In one polling location, some shouted out, "Dump Trump!" while others walked in right beside them and excitedly said they think Trump is doing an excellent job.

"We are total Republicans and Trump has done everything right. We're voting for Hugin," said New Jersey resident Lorraine Luzzo, 82, with her husband, Louis.

"The economy is doing well, there are jobs, patriotism is back in our country," she said.

REAL-TIME RESULTS

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone