FAIR LAWN - Josh Gottheimer made sure Tuesday morning that people know he wants to cut taxes, grabbing one of his own campaign signs and holding it aloft.

Then, he asked himself a question. Why is he obsessed with this issue?

And then he answered it.

Talking about people he meets in diners and elsewhere, the CD-5 congressman and gubernatorial candidate said:

"They just feel crushed. They're nickeled and dimed."

On this day, April 15, tax day, Gottheimer spoke alongside busy Route 208 and, appropriately enough, a short distance from a regional state tax office.

His comments referenced both high taxes in New Jersey and the "out-migration" of residents and businesses.

One hears a lot of this at Republican gatherings.

This raises an interesting question. Gottheimer is not running in the general election - at least not yet.

A lot of voters in Democratic primaries lean left. Some are concerned about government services to combat inequities and are even OK with increasing the millionaires' tax.

So, is Gottheimer's financial message going to resonate with that group?

His answer: Absolutely.

He said the high cost of living in New Jersey as an issue is "not even a close call."

He added, "It's the number one issue that people are paying attention to." Gottheimer said this is the view of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

The candidate previously issued an affordability plan that includes tax credits for low and middle income families, rental assistance, financial incentives to encourage in-migration and an overall goal of  reducing both income and property taxes.

He said Donald Trump is not helping the financially-stressed New Jersey residents.

He spoke of the $10,000 SALT cap, which dates back to Trump's first term, and the threat posed by the ongoing confusion over tariffs.

Gottheimer also noted that Kamala Harris won the state by only six points and that the Dems must nominate the right person. Referring again to last fall, he pointed out that he far outperformed Harris in his 5th District

Still, he said:

"This will be a tough November."

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