Incumbent
Josh Gottheimer
Incumbent Democratic candidate for U.S. House in New Jersey
$4.4K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — NJ-05 House winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
94%chance to win
$4.4KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age51 years old (Mar 8, 1975)
GenderMale
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LocationNew Jersey
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationB.A., University of Pennsylvania (1997)
Notable personal detailsJoshua S. Gottheimer is a Democratic member of the U.S. House representing New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, serving since 2017. He previously worked as a special assistant and speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and later held roles in both the private sector and government, including serving as senior counselor to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates lowering taxes for families and New Jersey residents through property-tax cuts, renter rebates, family tax credits, and restoration of the SALT deduction, while opposing new taxes on individuals and small businesses. He has emphasized paid-for tax-cut proposals and supported policies that avoid raising personal income tax rates. He has also framed some federal budget proposals that would cut programs or raise taxes as harmful to families and opposed them.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and improving the Affordable Care Act, opposes Medicare privatization and repeal without replacement, and has sponsored/co-led bipartisan measures to lower costs and expand access (including extending ACA premium tax credits and legislation to strengthen medical supply preparedness).
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Immigration & Border
The representative supports both stronger border security and humanitarian protections: he has backed bipartisan border funding and legislation described as “toughen[ing] borders,” while also sponsoring measures to protect immigrants (including support for Dreamers and opposing family separation) and proposing guardrails on ICE enforcement. His record includes votes and co-sponsorships that signal both enforcement-oriented and immigrant-protection approaches, producing a mixed set of signals on overall direction.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and medication abortion, has introduced federal legislation to protect mifepristone and telemedicine access, and opposes state and federal measures that impose bans or restrict abortion access. Helped pass the House Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine Roe v. Wade protections and frames restrictions (including gestational and state bans) as threats to women’s health and privacy.
Climate & Energy
Supports major federal clean-energy investments and climate resilience measures, voted for the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure bills that fund EV infrastructure, renewables, and pollution remediation. Emphasizes protecting water and the Jersey Shore, removing lead and PFAS from drinking water, and advancing clean-energy incentives while accepting transitional energy measures. Holds high scores from environmental groups for pro-environment votes and legislation.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks, red flag laws, and several firearm restrictions (e.g., raising the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles, magazine limits, closing loopholes) while also backing resources for local law enforcement. Advocates bipartisan, “common sense” gun-safety legislation and has cosponsored multiple federal gun-safety bills.
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
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LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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