Pledges to be Jersey’s “Lower Taxes, Lower Costs Governor”
Josh is the Problem Solver and Fighter that Will Deliver for Jersey Families

SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ — Today, November 15, 2024, at the Runway Diner in South Hackensack, surrounded by his wife and children, hundreds of supporters, elected officials, and community leaders, Josh Gottheimer officially announced his candidacy for Governor of New Jersey. A proud New Jersey resident and lifelong advocate for affordability and opportunity, Gottheimer vowed to tackle rising costs, make life more affordable, and restore economic growth while protecting our shared Jersey Values. 

Josh will be the “Lower Taxes, Lower Costs Governor” who knows how to solve problems. Josh will always fight for Jersey families. 

A video recording of today’s announcement can be found here. Remarks as prepared for delivery can be found here and below. For more information on Josh Gottheimer’s campaign, visit www.Josh4Jersey.com.

“I’m Josh Gottheimer, and I am running to be the lower taxes, lower costs Governor,” said Gottheimer.

“Life in Jersey has become too damn expensive,” said Gottheimer. “Today, I’m launching my campaign for Governor to cut your taxes and costs and to make Jersey affordable again. As Governor, I will lower costs and help you and your family get ahead. And, I’ll do it while protecting the values we believe in as Democrats.”

“Now, some folks will try and tell you that it’s impossible to make your life more affordable – and live up to our Jersey Values. I couldn’t disagree more. That’s nothing but a false choice. But, it will take a problem solver — and a Democrat — with the right experience and willingness to get it done — and one who’s not afraid to fight Jersey style when he needs to. I have a particular guy in mind — you’ll find him at Josh4Jersey.com,” said Gottheimer.

“We believe in giving people a hand up when they need it, and fighting Donald Trump when we need to, or anyone else who messes with us,” said Gottheimer.

“I understand business. I understand the public sector. And I am ready to lead this state,” said Gottheimer.

“I hear it all the time from moms and dads, kids coming out of college, and seniors. They love Jersey, but just can’t afford to stay – or even take the family to a diner. We can’t accept that. It has to change. It’s time for a reboot,” said Gottheimer.

“Taxes are too high — and I’ll cut them. This isn’t new for me — my campaign lawns signs, since my first race in 2016, have always said ‘Lower Taxes, Jersey Values’ at the bottom, and I’ve delivered — helping expand the Child Tax Credit, and clawing millions back to Jersey to pay for firetrucks, new roads, and clean drinking water,” said Gottheimer.

“Now, I want to be clear – lower taxes and affordability must be joined with a commitment to deliver on our Jersey Values. I’ll be a governor who protects reproductive freedom, expands family leave and Pre-K so it’s universal, just like school meals should be … improves K-12 education, helps parents take care of their aging parents, and address the mental health crisis affecting our kids — and so much more,” said Gottheimer.

Policy highlights:

• “As Governor, I’ll bring down your property and income taxes. Let me say it again, because I don’t think voters have heard that from a Democrat in a long time … I am going to cut your property and income taxes. I plan to change our antiquated tax code to make it cheaper to move to Jersey, buy that first home, and afford to raise a family,” said Gottheimer.
• “I’ll help make families stronger by expanding the state Child Tax Credit to help cover the cost of child care and will build more starter and senior housing, so folks can stay near their families when they retire,” said Gottheimer.
• “We need to get your utility bills down with more affordable energy,” said Gottheimer.
• “We can’t attract more families and jobs to our state if families don’t feel safe — in their homes, in their neighborhoods, or even in their cars. We need more cops on the beat and more community policing. And let me add: we need to bring the full force of the law against the antisemites who are harassing Jewish or any other communities all over this state,” said Gottheimer.  
• “We need to get better results for what we are paying for. We must have a first-rate mass transit system without massive breakdowns and delays. I’ll fix and significantly upgrade NJ Transit,” said Gottheimer.
• “Now, it’s time to build on New Jersey’s core sectors like life sciences, financial services, eco-tourism, and skilled manufacturing — and look to the cutting-edge AI jobs of the future. I will fight constantly to keep jobs in Jersey, and go door-to-door to bring more of them here,” said Gottheimer.

About Josh:

A proud New Jersey native, Gottheimer highlighted his deep roots in the state, sharing stories of his family’s journey as fifth-generation New Jersey residents. Born and raised in North Caldwell and now raising his family in Bergen County, Gottheimer’s vision for the state is shaped by decades of public service and private sector experience.

He has worked for President Clinton and President Obama and the US Commission on Civil Rights. Later, he helped run a federal agency, the FCC, started a nonprofit to help the underserved, and worked for some of America’s greatest, innovative, and bedrock companies like Ford and Microsoft. 

In Congress, Gottheimer is widely known for his leadership as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he built coalitions to pass legislation many said was impossible to get done — including commonsense gun safety laws, more affordable health care for seniors, new energy investments to fight climate change and bring down prices, and huge upgrades to infrastructure, including the critical Gateway Train Tunnel.

Life in Jersey is too expensive:

• 300,000 people — and scores of businesses and jobs — have left our state in the last few years. That’s equivalent to the entire city of Newark or Atlantic County.  
• New Jersey is now the fourth most expensive state in the nation to live in.
• New Jersey has the second most expensive child care. 
• New Jersey’s housing costs are more than 35% higher than the national average. 
• New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, the highest business taxes, high utility prices, and higher income taxes than Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and 43 other states. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2024
CONTACT: [email protected] – 646-853-0359 – Zach Florman