Who's In the Race

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) faces Republican Sean Kirrane in the Nov. 3 general election in New Jersey's 5th Congressional District. Gottheimer has represented the district since 2017 and serves on the House Financial Services Committee. Kirrane is a lifelong New Jerseyan and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, finance, and technology. He is founder and chief executive of an artificial-intelligence company and lives in River Vale. ​

According to his campaign biography, Rueda is a 28-year-old Bucknell graduate who grew up in Andover Township. Both Gottheimer and Kirrane ran unopposed in their respective June 2 primaries.

What They Stand For

Gottheimer has proposed extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to keep health coverage affordable, according to his official House website. He's also supported lowering prescription costs, including a $35 monthly insulin cap for Medicare beneficiaries, a tax credit for startup childcare centers to expand access to more affordable childcare.

Kirrane has proposed the American Citizens' Health Insurance Act, which his campaign says would "guarantee affordable coverage while preserving choice," according to his campaign website. He's also supported barring institutional investors from buying up homes, according to the New Jersey Monitor, and brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, finance, and technology, as well as his work as an entrepreneur.

Rueda's campaign lists universal human rights, free speech, anti-corruption, and "Pro-Earth, Pro-Health, Pro-Science policy" as its core priorities, according to his campaign website.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Gottheimer raised about $4.8 million through June 30 and had about $12.8 million in cash on hand. Kirrane raised about $56,000 through June 30 and had about $8,000 in the bank, with about $24,000 in debt.

Outside groups had reported $8,005 in support of Kirrane as of Oct. 13, with RNJ 2 Save America the largest spender at that total, while Protect Progress had $512,385 in pending spending supporting Gottheimer.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9, Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11, and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 98% chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Gottheimer carried the district with about 55 percent of the vote in 2022 and about 55 percent again in 2024. Democrats won nine of New Jersey's 12 U.S. House seats in 2024, and Republicans won the other three. Democrat Kamala Harris carried New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election with about 52 percent of the vote.

New Jersey's voter-registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 13; online, mail, and in-person registration are all due that day, and same-day registration is not available. Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, with hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, according to the New Jersey Division of Elections.

The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27, if you apply by mail, or 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, if you apply in person. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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