New Jersey 5th District
Josh Gottheimer (D) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Josh Gottheimer
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 72 of 127 votes and bills.
Raised $5,788,812 since January 2025: 61% from people, 22% from PACs and other committees, 18% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Sean Kirrane
Republican · corporate consultant and executive, first-time candidate
BLiberty Score B85 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Kirrane has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Kirrane.
Raised $103,742 since January 2025: 54% the candidate’s own money, 46% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Sean Kirrane. Sean Kirrane: B, 85 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Josh Gottheimer: F, 47 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in New Jersey: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Sean Kirrane, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Kirrane, so the grade above comes from this list: what Kirrane has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Told the NorthJersey.com editorial board that Iran is a threat and that pulling out of the war before a non-nuclear Iran is achieved is problematic.
“I understand the threat that Iran poses, and I think that pulling out short of achieving the goal of a non-nuclear Iran is problematic.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a pull-out before the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme is ended is on the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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Lists standing firmly with Israel and acting against antisemitism as part of his platform.
“stand firmly with Israel and take strong action against antisemitism”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Standing firmly with Israel is with liberty on free nations.
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Told the editorial board he would support conditions on aid to any nation, as an example for weapons or munitions that must not be used inappropriately.
“Any nation we give aid to, we should be placing reasonable restrictions on to make sure that, as an example, for providing weapons or munitions, that they're not being used on innocent citizens or used inappropriately”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The quoted words name no country, so under the site's rule they do not settle the free nations test.
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Said he was glad a senior House Democrat put a hold on a planned sale of large bombs, because it shows controls are in place.
“That actually makes me happy because it shows me that there are some controls in place, and that someone is actually looking over their shoulder and just not handing out bombs and weapons”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The quoted words do not themselves name Israel, so under the site's rule they do not settle the measure.
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Lists ending taxes on retirement income and restoring the full SALT deduction in his platform.
“eliminating taxes on retirement income so seniors can afford to stay in New Jersey”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
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Proposes funding mortgage relief through taxes on speculative and foreign real estate purchases.
“funding relief through taxes on speculative and foreign real estate purchases”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A new tax is against liberty on free markets.
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Said his health plan would end bureaucratic medicine and expand the free markets, and is not a socialist or Medicare for all system.
“What I'm proposing is ending bureaucratic medicine and expanding the free markets.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting government-run health care for all is with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign home page lists securing the borders and enforcing immigration laws among the things he will do.
“Secure our borders and enforce immigration laws.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Adam Rueda (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
New Jersey 5th District
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