It’s looking like Josh Gottheimer may’ve gotten what he paid for in NJ-05, folks…
2020 GOP nominee Frank Pallotta currently leads by a little bit under 1,500 votes over Nick De Gregorio with over 90% of precincts reporting. Pallotta, who fell several points short last time around and failed to catch on as a fundraiser, romped in the western parts of the district on Tuesday where he enjoyed establishment support and backing. De Gregorio carried Bergen County where he had the line but only by about 900 votes as of midnight, far short of the margin he needed.
Given the closeness of the final result, it’s hard to discount the role likely played by one of the more audacious moves in recent primary history.
Congressman Gottheimer spent campaign funds to send mail to Republican voters – during a GOP primary – informing them that Pallotta was too-Trumpy. Then an anonymous PAC jumped in support of the strategy. All told, something like five mail pieces went out according to Save Jersey sources. Fox News and other outlets ultimately picked up the story.
NJ-05 grew a bit bluer in redistricting but Jack Ciattarelli fell 1-point short of carrying it in 2021.
Gottheimer is a fundraising behemoth seeking reelection for the fourth time in the country’s most expensive media market. It’s unclear how Tuesday’s results will impact national GOP interest in the race given that De Gregorio was on track for “young gun” status (a prestigious NRCC fundraising program) while Pallotta failed to raise significant money as of the last reporting period.
