Rep. Josh Gottheimer joins NJ governor race
SOUTH HACKENSACK, N.J. (PIX11) - The race for New Jersey governor thickened Friday as Democratic U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer officially threw his hat in the ring.
"I'm launching my campaign for governor to cut your taxes and to make Jersey more affordable again," said Gottheimer in front of a loud crowd of supporters at Runway Diner in South Hackensack.
The representative of New Jersey's 5th Congressional District made his campaign message clear: make living in the state more affordable.
"Life in Jersey has become too damn expensive," said Gottheimer. "We pay too much in taxes and too much just to live. It's driving out job-creating businesses and families and undermining our quality of life."
The congressman has been a staunch opponent of congestion pricing and said as governor he would bring down both income and property taxes to help working families.
"This is an urgent task," he told his supporters, "and failure just isn't an option. We must win."
Gottheimer joins a crowded Democratic primary field that's set to become even more crowded.
Sources told PIX11 News that U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill will be joining the field with an announcement coming Monday. The race also includes Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.
The Republican nominees so far include former gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Sen. Ed Durr, talk radio host Bill Spadea, and candidates Robert Canfield, Jim Fazzone, Hans Herberg and Robert Bacon.