- Two-term Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, has won reelection in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District after a challenge from Republican Frank Pallotta, according to Decision Desk HQ.
- The district is located in northern New Jersey along the state’s northern border.
- The 5th District is one of 30 across the nation which voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but is currently represented by a Democrat in the House of Representatives.
- See the live coverage and full results from all US House elections.
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Two-term Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer has successfully defended his seat in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District after a challenge from Republican Frank Pallotta, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The candidates
Gottheimer is a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and a former advisor for the presidential campaigns of Wesley Clark, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton. Affectionately known as a “human fundraising machine,” Gottheimer is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, the New Democrat Coalition, and the Climate Solutions Caucus.
Gottheimer is also a founding member of the Problem Solvers Coalition, a coalition of 48 Democrats and 48 Republicans designed to work together on bipartisan issues in legislation.
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Pallotta, Gottheimer’s Republican challenger, is a small business owner and financier. His campaign platform was centered on cutting taxes, investing in New Jersey’s infrastructure, and making healthcare more affordable.
Pallotta entered the race just 13 months before New Jersey’s Republican primary but told the Bergen Record that he was not too concerned about his campaign finances.
"I'm not a stranger to getting on the phone," said Pallotta to the Record. "I have an idea of what it will take. It takes money to win. It doesn't take money to run. If you have the right message, I think the money flows."
The district
New Jersey's 5th Congressional District is the state's most northern district and covers New Jersey's northern border. The district is home to the counties of Bergen, Sussex, Passaic, and Warren.
In the 2016 presidential election, the district narrowly voted for President Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton in a 49-48% split of the vote, according to Daily Kos. The 5th District is one of 30 across the United States which voted for President Trump in 2016 but is currently represented by a Democrat in the House.
Prior to Gottheimer's election to office, the district had not been represented by a Democrat since Percy Hamilton Stewart left office in 1933.
The money race
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Gottheimer raised substantially more for his campaign than his opponent. Gottheimer brought in nearly $7 million this cycle, spent over $2.7 million, and had over $8.3 million in the bank while Pallotta raised $1.9 million, spent $1.4 million, and had around $533,000 in cash on hand.
What experts say
The race between Gottheimer and Pallotta was rated as "safe Democratic" by the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.