Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish Democrat, launches bid for New Jersey governor

Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey congressman, announces that he is running to succeed the state’s Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat who is term-limited, in next year’s election.

Gottheimer, 49, is a moderate, pro-Israel Democrat who was just elected to his fifth term representing New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, which spans the heavily Jewish Bergen County.

In his campaign announcement, he pledges to make life in the state more affordable and says he would “stand up to Trump,” the president-elect, on issues such as reproductive rights and gun control.

“As governor I’ll take on our affordability challenge and get things done for you,” he says in a campaign video. “I’ve never been afraid to buck conventional wisdom, to fight hard to get things done, to clean things up, and to stand up for Jersey and live up to our Jersey values.”

He also pledges to use law enforcement “against the antisemites who are harassing Jewish or any other communities all over this state.”

During his time in the House, Gottheimer has emphasized bipartisanship: He was one of the founders, and currently co-chairs, the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of representatives that is half-Democrat and half-Republican, and that seeks to work across the aisle. He has criticized members of the progressive wing of his party for opposing Israel, and has emphasized issues like cutting taxes (a conservative priority) along with others like fighting climate change (a liberal one).