New Jersey 5th District Primary Results

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Voting for New Jersey's Fifth District Democratic primary has ended, and incumbent Congressman Josh Gottheimer will defeat progressive upstart and Glen Rock council member Arati Kreibich.

"I am honored and humbled by the overwhelming support we received in this election. It is a decisive endorsement of our Democratic ideas and Jersey Values, from affordable health care and racial justice, to clean water and lower taxes for our families," said Gottheimer in a statement.

He also praised the efforts of Kreibich, who was critical of Gottheimer's voting record in the run-up to the primary.

"It’s more important than ever that Americans need to be politically and civically active, and Arati’s engagement is a good example of the responsibility we all have as citizens. I’m eager to work with all Democrats, in our “big tent” Party, as we fight for victory in November," he said.

Kreibich posted a video to Twitter announcing the results, and stating that she would be voting for Gottheimer come November.

"I am so grateful for our local and national allies, who formed this incredible progressive coalition to fight for the right things in north Jersey," she said.

The New Jersey Globe declared Gottheimer the winner last night,

Gottheimer had some big endorsements, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, but Kreibich and her constituents said his voting history is too conservative.

Kreibich had some noteworthy endorsements as well, which included Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

The idea that the Fifth District would be fought for by two Democrats from both sides of the party would have been nearly unthinkable before 2016, when Gottheimer defeated incumbent Republican Scott Garrett, becoming the first Democrat elected to that seat since the beginning of the new millennium.

As votes are counted over the course of the next few days, here's what you should know about the two Democratic candidates.

From Volunteer To Political Opponent:

In 2018, Kreibich volunteered for the Gottheimer campaign, knocking on doors for the first Democrat to win a house seat since the new millennium.

It was his vote for 2019's border aid bill that which pushed her to challenge for the seat in 2020, according to CNN. Kreibich told CNN that she knew originally that Gottheimer wasn't as progressive as she felt the district deserved, but volunteered to keep the district blue.

"Did I know that Josh was not as progressive as I wanted him to be? Yes. Did I also know that he was actually more conservative than moderate? Yes. Did I feel like I had a choice? No, none of us did," Kreibich told CNN. "But we said, we're going to make sure that we keep this district blue."

Kreibich hasn't pulled any punches in the runup to the campaign either.

Gottheimer was hit with the phrase "Trump's favorite Democrat" by the campaign, and the website JoshGottheimer.republican was created as a "timeline of Josh's record of siding with the GOP."

When asked by CNN about the website, Gottheimer pointed toward his endorsements, which include groups like the Planned Parenthood, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus.

Friends In High Places

Both Gottheimer and Kreibich have compiled an impressive list of endorsements from national and local political figures, as well as advocacy groups of all kinds.

Here's what some familiar faces had to say about the candidates:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for Josh Gottheimer:

"When Congressman Josh Gottheimer won this District, he was able to break a decades-long Republican run in the seat. From health care to women's rights, Josh's leadership in Congress is critical in our fight for our shared values. We need Josh's voice in Congress, and that's why I'm so proud to endorse him."

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for Arati Kreibich:

"As a neuroscientist, Arati conducted research on opiate addiction and after working directly with pharmaceutical companies, she gained a clear understanding of the major shortcomings of our for-profit healthcare system. She understands that healthcare is a right for all, and not a privilege for the wealthy few.

Arati decided to take on the incumbent Democrat in her district because she knows that this moment requires bold, progressive leadership. Now is not the time to think small."

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker for Josh Gottheimer:

"I am proud to endorse my good friend, Josh Gottheimer, because at this critical moment in our nation’s history we need leaders firmly committed to our core values of justice and equality and the ability to unite people to take on tough challenges. We have worked together on key issues ranging from criminal justice reform to clean air and water to affordable health care for all Americans. I know Josh has also fought tirelessly for New Jersey, helping bring federal dollars back to the District. Re-electing Josh is also essential to maintaining our majority in the House. I look forward to his reelection and continuing to work alongside him to continue to build a strong future for our region and our country."

Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for Arati Kreibich:

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented hurt and exposed the entrenched disparities and inequities in our communities, but it has also shown us why we so urgently need leaders like Dr. Arati Kreibich in Congress. An immigrant, a scientist, and a mother, Arati is ready to step up and provide real leadership for the people of the New Jersey 5th."

As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, 73 of 493 precincts in the 5th District are reporting vote totals, all of them in Sussex and Warren County. No tallies from Passaic or Bergen County have been reported by the Associated Press. Bergen in particular makes up the majority of the precincts, with 333.

The New Jersey Globe declared Gottheimer the winner on Tuesday night, with Globe Editor David Wildenstein calling a path for Kreibich's victory "impossible."

These numbers are reported by the Associated Press.

Republican Nominees

• John McCann — 1,729

• James Baldini — 1,369

• Frank Pallotta — 7,175

• Hector Castillo — 578

Democratic Nominees

• Josh Gottheimer — 4,995

• Arati Kreibich — 2,246

Follow along as results come in via the Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on the Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch