Josh Gottheimer

Josh Gottheimer is a Democratic politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 5th congressional district, a position he has held since 2017. Raised in North Caldwell, New Jersey, he graduated from West Essex High School before attending the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American history. He later studied at Pembroke College, Oxford, as a Thouron Fellow and earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Gottheimer's early career in public service included serving as one of the youngest speechwriters in White House history for President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001, and later as a senior advisor to the Federal Communications Commission. Before his election to Congress, Gottheimer worked in the private sector for major corporations, including Ford Motor Company and Microsoft, where he served as General Manager for Corporate Strategy. He first won election to the House of Representatives in 2016, defeating long-time Republican incumbent Scott Garrett. Since entering office, Gottheimer has become known for his focus on bipartisanship, serving as the Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. He has been consistently ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House by organizations such as the Lugar Center and has been involved in passing significant legislation including the CHIPS and Science Act and the PACT Act for veterans.

Josh Gottheimer is widely recognized as a centrist Democrat who emphasizes fiscal responsibility and bipartisan cooperation. On economic policy, he is a prominent advocate for the restoration of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction to lower taxes for New Jersey residents and supports investments in infrastructure and domestic manufacturing. His healthcare platform focuses on protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, and increasing veterans' access to medical care through legislation like the PACT Act. In terms of foreign policy, Gottheimer is a staunch supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship and has advocated for strong measures against adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and China while supporting aid for Ukraine. On social issues, he supports reproductive rights and has co-sponsored legislation to protect abortion access. He also advocates for gun safety measures, including universal background checks, and has introduced the 'Invest to Protect Act' to provide funding for smaller police departments for training and recruitment. Regarding the environment, he has supported the Inflation Reduction Act and emphasizes the need for clean energy investment alongside bipartisan solutions for climate change.