MONTVALE, N.J. – Josh Gottheimer is one of only two New Jersey Democrat congressman who, as of this writing, is keeping his powder dry on the issue of impeachment.
“The serious allegations that have surfaced about communication between President Trump and the Ukrainian President put our national security at risk and merit an immediate inquiry,” Gottheimer (D, NJ-05) explained in a Tuesday evening press release. “We must let the facts guide our work. Given the gravity of this moment, I will base my final judgment on whether impeachment is warranted on the information garnered through this inquiry, not on hearsay, social media, or conflicting news accounts. I’d urge the House Republicans to do the same.”
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Unsurprisingly, the two-term North Jersey Democrat’s initial silence followed up by an extremely measured reaction to his party’s sudden impeachment consensus failed to satisfy everyone.
“Instead of focusing on growing jobs, reducing the tax burden on working families and protecting our borders, radical Democrats have thrown another Hail Mary with this latest effort to impeach President Trump. Meanwhile, Josh Gottheimer has tried to have it both ways without taking a position on where he stands on impeachment,” said Rich Castaldo, campaign manager for NJ-05 GOP primary candidate Mike Ghassali. “Like a typical DC-insider, Josh is trying to be on both sides of the impeachment issue. Voters in New Jersey deserve to have a congressman who is open and honest about where they stand on an important issue like impeaching the President of the United States.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Gottheimer’s Democrat primary challenger Arati Kreibich (a Glen Rock councilwoman) similarly demanded that the incumbent take a stand.
“Will @repJoshG finally do the right thing? We’re constantly asking this in #NJ5 If elected, you’ll always know where I stand. I supported #impeachmentinquiry before this political tipping point. I’ll never be an opportunistic political holdout. Our country is at stake,” Kreibich tweeted on Tuesday prior to Gottheimer’s statement.
Gottheimer’s hesitation likely has as much or more to do with pragmatism than principle; President Trump carried Gottheimer’s district in 2016.
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