Highlights Josh’s Long Record of Standing with — and Fighting for — Jersey’s Latino Community
Gottheimer Will Lower Taxes and Cut Costs for Jersey Families — and Fight Trump
ELIZABETH, NJ — Today, at Extra Supermarket, several influential Latino community leaders endorsed Josh Gottheimer for Governor. In their remarks, the leaders praised Gottheimer as the only candidate laser-focused on cutting taxes and costs, and helping families, seniors, and small businesses afford to stay in Jersey.
The community leaders, who represent broad swaths of New Jersey’s Latino and Hispanic communities, praised Josh’s Tax Cut Plan, his fight to protect Jersey Values, and his strong record of getting the backs of the Latino community. Gottheimer talked about how he’ll make Jersey more affordable, his family’s immigrant background, and how he’ll fight Donald Trump’s mass raids and round ups of innocent immigrants.
“Our Jersey Latino communities embody who we are as a state, they shape our Jersey Values and give us our competitive edge. They make Jersey, Jersey. As you heard today, too often they’re thought of as a monolith—as a group lumped together. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Latinos across the state are in every industry, in every job, and every community. They own businesses of all sizes, help build and drive our economy, make our neighborhoods stronger, whether that’s as a small business owner, a police officer, or a teacher. Hailing from all different countries and cultures, like so many others, they add to the fabric of who we are as a state. That diversity makes us stronger.
“Like many of your families, my family immigrated here in search of opportunity and freedom. They came here to find a better life, free from persecution, safe from the horrors of the Holocaust. They saw Jersey as a place where they could buy a house, work hard, make a good living, and raise a family. When I was growing up, my dad opened a small business and I spent time standing behind the counter, learning the value of hard work and determination.
“I want people who are coming to New Jersey today to have the same opportunity that my parents and grandparents had. I want our children to have the same opportunity to get a great education, to buy a home, get a good-paying job, and raise their family here. I want our parents and seniors to be able to afford to retire here.
“And that’s what I’ll do as Governor. I’ll lower taxes and lower costs — and I’ll fight Trump whenever he comes after our state and messes with our families. I’ve always gotten the back of the Latino community – and always will.
“Together, we can get things like this done. We can lower taxes and costs. We can help small businesses grow and thrive. We can keep our communities safe. We can fight Trump and extremists who come after innocent families, kids, and seniors. I will never allow New Jersey to become a state of fear. We are a state of hope—of opportunity. Of prosperity and community. And I will fight to make sure our government reflects that. I’m an optimist, so I know that we can actually do this—we can win—so long as we stick together.”
Gottheimer was endorsed by:
- George Castro, Hispanic American Political Action Committee
- Tony Villalobos, Salvadorian Leadership
- Lucilo Santos, Dominican American Council of New Jersey
- Norberto Curitumai, Peruvian American Coalition of New Jersey
- Consuelo Carpenter, Latino American Democratic Association of New Jersey (LADA)
One in five Jersey residents come from Latino or Hispanic heritage, and Latinos own 15 percent of the state’s small businesses, driving economic growth and prosperity for our entire state. Gottheimer’s plan to cut property taxes by nearly 15 percent, give renters an annual rebate, lower taxes for families and seniors, and cut costs for five of the biggest ticket items families struggle to afford—housing, healthcare, childcare, food, and utility bills—will help people across Jersey afford to stay here.
George Castro, Hispanic American PAC
“Simply put, New Jersey has become too expensive. That’s why we need a Governor who will take bold action—Josh is running on performance, not promises. So today, I ask you to stand with someone who has already stood with us. Josh Gottheimer is the leader who will fight for every corner of our state and ensure that the Latino community is not just represented—but empowered—at the table where decisions are made.”
Tony Villalobos, Salvadorian Leadership
“Josh understands that immigrants and helping their communities—deserve fairness, dignity, and opportunity. In Congress, Josh has fought to protect DACA and TPS. He’s worked hard to fix our broken system. Josh is a fighter who will stand up to Donald Trump when he tries to round up innocent people at schools and churches and businesses across New Jersey, so that New Jersey continues to be a place of hope, not fear. He’s going to lower taxes and costs, and he’ll stop Jersey from nickel and diming us every way they can.”
Laurena Marte-Organ, on behalf of LADA
“For Latinas, Josh doesn’t just see us—he believes in us. He knows we are leaders in our homes, our communities, and our businesses. He supports equal pay and representation in government, and will fight hard to protect our kids. And for all families, Josh is focused on what matters most: lower taxes, safer communities, strong schools, more housing, and good-paying jobs. He’s not about empty promises—he’s about real solutions that make a difference at the kitchen table, not just in a press release.”
Felipe Mendez, on behalf of the Dominican American Council of New Jersey
“Dominican-Americans are known for their entrepreneurial spirit. Across urban centers throughout New Jersey, we’ve built businesses—bodegas, beauty salons, auto body shops, and more—that fuel our local economies. Josh understands this. He grew up working in his father’s small business, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance. That’s why, in Washington, he’s fought to bring federal dollars back to New Jersey—expanding access to capital so small businesses can stay open and thrive.
“But what sets Josh apart most is his heart. He leads with empathy. When our community lost Jennifer Contreras—a 24-year-old and beloved beauty salon owner from Passaic—in a tragic incident in the Dominican Republic, Josh came to grieve alongside us. That’s the kind of leader he is: he listens, he shows up, and he takes action.”
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