JERSEY CITY, NJ. March 14, 2025 (Biz Republic) — On March 11, Congressman Josh Gottheimer won a decisive victory at the Bergen County Democratic Convention, securing the party endorsement and ballot slogan in New Jersey’s largest county. Gottheimer’s landslide win, with 616 votes (66%) in a five-candidate race, further cements his position as a frontrunner in the Democratic primary for governor. The congressman handily defeated Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who garnered 148 votes (16%), while Newark Mayor Ras Baraka came in third with 95 votes (10%).
Former Montclair Mayor and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller received 45 votes (5%), and former Senate President Steve Sweeney finished last with 29 votes (3%). A sixth candidate, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, is not participating in county conventions, instead running his own slate of candidates for county commissioner and state legislature in the 37th, 38th, 39th, and 40th districts. Additionally, 41 delegates who signed in did not cast votes or had their ballots invalidated.
Bergen County, which accounts for 10% of New Jersey’s total Democratic voter registration, is a crucial battleground. In the 2021 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Bergen County cast 9% of the total votes, underscoring its influence in statewide races. Gottheimer, a five-term congressman from Tenafly, was unable to attend the convention as he was in Washington for a critical vote to prevent a government shutdown. Sherrill also remained in Washington rather than traveling to Bergen County.
Following his victory, Gottheimer expressed his gratitude to Bergen County Democrats and their chairman, Paul Juliano: “I am deeply honored and grateful to have the endorsement of Bergen County Democrats — the community I’m proud to call home and where I’m raising my family. In 2016, we took on an entrenched Republican incumbent and flipped an 84-year Republican stronghold blue. Last year, Bergen County helped me win by 12 points in a district that Harris only won by one point. With the support of the largest county in the state, I know that we will win decisively again in June and November, and I’ll be fighting to get Democrats across Bergen and Jersey elected.”
Since launching his gubernatorial campaign last November, Gottheimer has quickly amassed significant support from key Democratic leaders in Bergen County. Over 100 Democratic officials, including County Executive James Tedesco, Chairman Paul Juliano, the entire county legislative delegation, 30 mayors, and 59 Democratic municipal chairs, have endorsed his campaign. Gottheimer emphasized his platform of economic relief, arguing that affordability is the top issue for New Jersey residents:
“Jersey is way too expensive, and Trump is only making it worse with his reign of chaos and irresponsible tariffs that are really just a tax on hardworking families. Folks are tired of empty rhetoric — they want commonsense solutions that put money back in their pockets. That’s why I’m running to cut taxes and lower costs, and I have the experience and a long track record as a problem solver to get it done. While all the Democratic candidates in this race share our Jersey Values, I’m the only one making lower taxes and lower costs my top priority. Together, we will protect our Jersey Values, fight anyone who messes with Jersey, and make life more affordable for Jersey families.”
Gottheimer’s overwhelming victory at the Bergen Democratic Convention is notable, as it surpasses the 64% vote share that First Lady Tammy Murphy secured at the same convention last year, before the judicial ruling that abolished the county line system in New Jersey. This convention win marks an important milestone for Gottheimer, who has strategically avoided contests where he believed the outcome was predetermined.
While Gottheimer secured Bergen County, Sherrill has claimed convention victories in Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, and Sussex counties, while Sweeney has won endorsements in Burlington, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties. With the primary race heating up, the battle for key county endorsements and voter support across New Jersey continues to intensify.
