New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District Poised for Competitive 2026 Race as Sean Kirrane Challenges Rep. Josh Gottheimer

By Jared Feliciano | The Jersey Ledger

Residents across much of Bergen County will once again help decide one of New Jersey’s most closely watched congressional contests this November as Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer seeks another term representing the state’s 5th Congressional District against Republican challenger Sean Kirrane.

The 5th District stretches along New Jersey’s northern border and includes most of Bergen County, along with portions of Passaic and Sussex counties. Once considered a Republican-leaning district, changing demographics and strong Democratic performance in eastern Bergen County have transformed it into one of the state’s most competitive congressional seats.

Gottheimer first won the seat in 2016 by defeating longtime Republican incumbent Scott Garrett and has held the office ever since. In the 2024 general election, Gottheimer defeated Republican Mary Jo Guinchard with 208,359 votes (54.5%) to 165,287 votes (43.3%), a district-wide margin of 43,072 votes.

Bergen County Remains the Deciding Factor

While Republicans continued to perform well in the district’s rural western counties, Bergen County once again proved decisive.

Official election results show Gottheimer received 176,817 votes in the Bergen County portion of the district, compared with 119,958 for Guinchard—a margin of nearly 57,000 votes. Republican victories in Sussex and Passaic counties were not enough to overcome Gottheimer’s advantage in Bergen County.

Political analysts note that Bergen County has become the electoral foundation of Democratic success in the district, particularly in communities such as Hackensack, Englewood, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Ridgewood, and Fair Lawn.

Registration Numbers Tell Only Part of the Story

Current voter registration reflects a district that is competitive but leans Democratic. According to recent registration figures, approximately 35% of registered voters are Democrats, 27% are Republicans, and most of the remaining voters are unaffiliated.

Those numbers suggest Democratic candidates begin with a registration advantage, but they do not guarantee election outcomes. Success in the district has often depended on winning independent voters and persuading moderates in Bergen County’s suburban communities.

Sean Kirrane Looks to Flip the District

Republican Sean Kirrane is challenging Gottheimer in the 2026 election, arguing that voters are seeking new leadership on issues including the economy, taxes, immigration, and public safety. Gottheimer, meanwhile, is campaigning on his record in Congress and his bipartisan approach to representing northern New Jersey.

The race is expected to draw significant attention from both national political parties, as New Jersey’s 5th District remains one of the few congressional seats in the Northeast where demographic changes, voter turnout, and independent voters could determine the outcome.