New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer has named a well-known criminal defense lawyer, Henry E. Klingeman, as his gubernatorial campaign chairman.
The selection of Klingeman, who has represented some pretty unsavory clients in a range of high-profile criminal cases, marks a notable development in Gottheimer’s bid for governor, especially considering the congressman’s reputation for frequent bipartisan betrayal of progressive politics as a Washington insider.
Gottheimer announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor but critics are calling into question whose side he is one.
Known for his hawkish stance on foreign policy, pro-business legislative record, and ties to Wall Street, Gottheimer has built a reputation as a conservative Democrat, more focused on catering to corporate interests than the needs of working-class New Jerseyans.
Arati S. Kreibich, a neuroscientist and Glen Rock Councilwoman, challenged Gottheimer in the 2020 Democratic primary, asserting that he was too closely tied to corporate interests.
Kreibich criticized Gottheimer for accepting big donations from corporate PACs, pointed to specific votes rolling back key banking regulations, and contended that his reluctance to hold open town halls indicated a disconnect from the electorate.
His appointment of Klingeman, a criminal defense lawyer with deep ties to high-profile, often quite heinous clients, as his campaign chairman has raised concerns about the suitability of Gottheimer for a Democratic Party that, after years of corporate capture, is desperate to regain credibility as the voice of the working people.
Gottheimer’s selection of Klingeman is notable not only for the lawyer’s extensive criminal defense work but also for the clientele he has represented over the years.
Klingeman has defended a number of individuals involved in major financial scandals, including a senior bank executive linked to a fraud prosecution in Delaware, a “Jersey Shore” cast member charged with tax evasion, and individuals entangled in the “Bridgegate” scandal, which ultimately led to the conviction of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s aides.
Klingeman has also represented high-ranking political figures facing corruption charges, such as Camden Mayor Dana Redd and State Senator Wayne Bryant—both of whom were convicted on federal charges.
While Klingeman’s legal career is undoubtedly impressive, his clients’ backgrounds raise concerns about the message Gottheimer’s campaign is sending.
“When a criminal defense attorney enters the political arena, his decision to defend those accused of reprehensible crimes, particularly those against which he now rails as a candidate, becomes fair game,” said Daniel Leddy, a retired law professor and judge.
By appointing Klingeman as campaign chairman, Gottheimer signals an embrace of an establishment that has long been criticized for serving corporate elites, financiers, and powerful interests, often at the expense of the average citizen.
This move raises alarm bells for many in New Jersey who are fed up with a political system that favors the wealthy few while leaving working-class people voiceless in an era of escalating inequality.
“Henry Klingeman is emblematic of a political class that thrives on insider connections and deep-pocketed donors,” said Lisa McCormick, the progressive Democrat who challenged Bob Menendez in the 2018 US Senate primary. “This appointment signals Gottheimer’s reliance on a system driven by corporate lobbying and financial influence rather than grassroots mobilization, an approach that sidelines the needs of working-class and middle-class voters, reinforcing the notion that government is more responsive to wealth than to the needs of the majority.”
Gottheimer’s background itself fits uneasily with the needs of a Democratic Party striving to represent everyday people. With a career that includes stints as a speechwriter for Bill Clinton, an adviser to the presidential campaigns of Wesley Clark, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton, and work for PR firms like Burson Cohn & Wolfe—known for its associations with tobacco and oil industry disinformation campaigns—Gottheimer has long been intertwined with corporate interests.
His lobbying efforts for big tech companies, his voting record on issues such as tax cuts for the wealthy, and his vocal support for Wall Street tax breaks all suggest a political trajectory that has consistently leaned toward defending corporate power over advocating for progressive labor reforms like a $15 minimum wage or universal healthcare.
Moreover, Gottheimer’s close relationship with Wall Street comes into sharper focus when considering his investment practices.
In 2023, he made significant financial moves in Microsoft stock, buying and selling large amounts of call options worth millions of dollars. While Gottheimer’s stock market trades may be legal, they underscore a broader trend in his political career: a willingness to prioritize the interests of big business and tech over the needs of New Jersey’s working-class families.
Gottheimer’s bipartisan approach—relying on negotiations with Republican colleagues—has earned him a reputation as a pragmatist in Washington.
Yet, in New Jersey, where the Democratic Party is increasingly aligning with progressive values, his brand of centrism is seen as a hindrance to advancing meaningful reform.
His votes on bills like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and his advocacy for restoring the full State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, primarily benefiting wealthier households, have led to growing criticism from within his party.
The selection of Klingeman as campaign chairman is only the latest example of how Gottheimer’s connections and political history could alienate the voters he needs to win.
Many progressives within the state’s Democratic Party have voiced concerns that Gottheimer is too closely tied to corporate interests and too willing to compromise on issues important to working-class voters.
“Appointing a criminal defense lawyer as campaign chairman sends a signal that Josh Gottheimer is doubling down on establishment politics, aligning himself with forces that prioritize the interests of corporate elites over the needs of average citizens,” said Democratic strategist James Devine. “In an era when many Americans demand transformative change and accountability from their leaders, this decision should alienate Americans who are weary of a system they view as rigged against them.”
In 2021, Gottheimer lobbied against a resolution aimed at ending predatory lending practices, which involve charging exorbitant interest rates on consumer loans.
Gottheimer’s association with ‘No Labels,’ a group that has received funding from industries like energy and finance, has raised concerns about his alignment with wealthy donors and corporate interests.
This is particularly problematic in a state like New Jersey, where many feel their political voice has been silenced by a political system dominated by corporate oligarchs and wealthy elites.
Gottheimer’s campaign presents a paradox for New Jersey voters. On one hand, his appeal to moderate and conservative Democrats, as well as some independents, could make him a formidable candidate in a state where swing votes are crucial.
However, the appointment of figures like Klingeman, alongside Gottheimer’s history of supporting policies favorable to corporations over the working class, casts serious doubt on his ability to lead a state where labor rights, affordable healthcare, and economic equality are central concerns for many.
In an era where the Democratic Party is searching for a leader who can stand up to corporate influence and represent working people in the face of a growing class divide, Gottheimer’s ties to the political and financial elite raise questions about his commitment to those who feel forgotten by both major political parties.
His campaign may appeal to those who prefer bipartisanship and corporate-friendly solutions, but it is unlikely to resonate with New Jersey’s progressive voters who seek bold reforms and a leader who is unafraid to challenge the powerful interests that have captured both parties.
As the campaign unfolds, New Jersey Democrats must ask themselves whether a candidate so closely tied to the corporate establishment can truly lead the state toward a future where the voices of working-class people are heard, their needs are addressed, and the political system is held accountable to the people, not the powerful few.
With Gottheimer’s political history and the troubling choice of campaign leadership, the 2025 gubernatorial race promises to be a pivotal test for whether big-money campaigns or a genuine progressive ideology rooted in the timeless class struggle for equality will guide the future of New Jersey’s Democratic Party.