Josh Gottheimer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Josh Gottheimer
Official portrait, 2017
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Scott Garrett
Personal details
Born	(1975-03-08) March 8, 1975 (age 50) Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marla Tusk ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	2
Education	University of Pennsylvania (BA) Pembroke College, Oxford Harvard University (JD)
Website

Joshua S. Gottheimer (born March 8, 1975) is an American politician who serves in the United States House of Representatives. A U.S. Representative is a person elected to help make laws for the country. He represents the 5th congressional district of New Jersey.

Gottheimer is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a politician, he was a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. He also worked for large companies like the Ford Motor Company and Microsoft.

Early Life and School

Gottheimer in 2012

Josh Gottheimer was born in Livingston, New Jersey, on March 8, 1975. His mother was a preschool teacher and his father owned a small business. Growing up, Gottheimer helped out at his father's store.

When he was 16, he worked as a U.S. Senate page for New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg. This experience gave him an early look at how the government works. He also had internships with Speaker of the House Tom Foley.

Gottheimer graduated from West Essex High School in 1993. He then went to the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1997. After that, he studied history at Pembroke College, Oxford, in England. In 2004, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Career Before Congress

In 1998, at age 23, Gottheimer began working as a speechwriter in President Bill Clinton's administration. He helped write speeches for the president until 2001.

After law school, he worked as an adviser for the presidential campaigns of Wesley Clark, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company and later for Microsoft. For a time, he worked at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where he helped with projects to bring fast internet to more people.

U.S. House of Representatives

Gottheimer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and has been reelected several times since. He represents New Jersey's 5th district, which includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.

In his campaigns, Gottheimer often talks about being a moderate who wants to work with both Democrats and Republicans to solve problems.

Committee Assignments

A committee is a small group of representatives who focus on specific topics. Gottheimer serves on these committees:

• Committee on Financial Services
• Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Caucus Memberships

A caucus is a group of members of Congress who join together to work on shared goals. Gottheimer is a member of several caucuses, including:

• New Democrat Coalition
• Problem Solvers Caucus (which he co-chairs)
• Blue Dog Coalition
• Climate Solutions Caucus

2025 Campaign for Governor

In November 2024, Gottheimer announced he was running for governor of New Jersey. The primary election, which decides who will be the main candidate for a political party, was held on June 10, 2025. Gottheimer was not successful in his campaign to become the Democratic candidate for governor.

Key Political Views

Gottheimer is known as a centrist Democrat, meaning he often holds views that are in the middle of the political spectrum.

Working with Both Parties

Gottheimer is a leader of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of Democrats and Republicans who try to find bipartisan solutions. Bipartisan means that both parties work together. He has been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress. He believes that members of Congress should work together to get things done for the country.

Helping New Jersey

Gottheimer speaks about the importance of infrastructure in April 2021

Much of Gottheimer's work focuses on issues important to New Jersey.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Gottheimer strongly supports projects to improve infrastructure—the basic things a community needs, like roads, bridges, and tunnels. He has been a big supporter of the Gateway Tunnel project, which will build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York.

He also fought against a plan for congestion pricing in New York City. He argued it was an unfair tax on New Jersey drivers who commute to Manhattan for work.

Taxes

Gottheimer has worked to change a federal law that limits how much state and local tax (SALT) people can deduct on their federal tax returns. He argues that restoring the full SALT deduction would lower taxes for many families in New Jersey.

Keeping People Safe

Gottheimer visits the Newton, NJ police department in 2022

Gottheimer has focused on public safety, including gun safety laws and support for police.

Gun Safety Laws

Gottheimer announcing a school safety bill

Gottheimer supports what he calls "common sense" gun laws. He helped introduce the ALYSSA Act. The bill helps schools get silent panic alarms to quickly alert police during an emergency. He also supports stronger background checks for buying guns.

Supporting Law Enforcement

Gottheimer introduced the Invest to Protect Act. This bill aims to give more funding to smaller police departments. The money can be used for training, body cameras, and mental health resources for officers. He has also supported bills that help first responders and their families.

Foreign Policy

Gottheimer is very involved in foreign policy, especially issues related to America's allies.

Support for Israel

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (left) with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (right) during a trip to Israel

Gottheimer is a strong supporter of the relationship between the United States and Israel. He believes Israel is a key ally in the Middle East. He has worked to make sure Israel receives security aid from the U.S. to defend itself.

Following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, he voted for aid to help Israel's missile defense system, known as the Iron Dome. He has also spoken out against what he sees as unfair criticism of Israel.

Standing Against Hate

Gottheimer has often spoken out against antisemitism, which is the hatred of Jewish people. He has worked to pass laws that condemn antisemitism and has called on universities to protect Jewish students from hate. He has also helped secure federal grants to improve security at places of worship, including synagogues, churches, and mosques.

Personal Life

Gottheimer grew up in North Caldwell, New Jersey, and now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey. He and his wife, Marla Tusk, were married in 2006. They have two children.

Electoral History

See also

• List of Harvard University politicians
• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress