New Jersey's 5th Congressional District election, 2026
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| New Jersey's 5th Congressional District |
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| General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: Pending |
| Primary: Pending General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
6 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Democratic |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th New Jersey elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
All U.S. House districts, including the 5th Congressional District of New Jersey, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 5
Incumbent Josh Gottheimer, Nick Gebo, Chandiha Gajapathy, Sean Kirrane, and Adam Rueda are running in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 5 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Josh Gottheimer (D) | |
 | Nick Gebo (D) | |
| Chandiha Gajapathy (R) | ||
 | Sean Kirrane (R)  | |
 | Adam Rueda (Independent) (Write-in) | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m Sean Kirrane — a lifelong New Jerseyan, husband, and father who’s spent more than twenty years fixing broken systems in healthcare, finance, and technology. I didn’t come up through politics; I came up through the real world, where accountability matters and failure isn’t an option. I’ve led billion-dollar transactions, rebuilt bankrupt hospitals, and turned around organizations that others had written off. When leadership collapsed, I was the person they called to restore order, stabilize the numbers, and rebuild trust. Now I’m running for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th District because Washington looks exactly like the failing institutions I’ve spent my career fixing — overleveraged, overregulated, and underperforming. Our government doesn’t have a money problem; it has a management problem. My campaign is about bringing real-world discipline, execution, and results to public service. I believe government should do fewer things — and do them well. I’m not running to score political points; I’m running to solve problems that actually affect families’ lives — affordability, healthcare, and stability. I’m ready to serve New Jersey with the same drive and precision that’s defined my entire career — focusing on outcomes, not rhetoric, and delivering results people can see and feel."
Party: Independent
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Hello! My name is Adam Rueda. I am a 28-year-old Bucknell graduate. I was raised in Andover Township (Sussex County). I grew up attending Catholic school at Reverend Brown grade & middle school and then Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta. At PJ, I was inducted into both National Honors Society and as a National Hispanic Scholar. I was an Ambassador within the Office of Admissions as well as the proud recipient of the Tri-County Scholarship, a need- and performance-based grant to attend private high school. To attend Bucknell, I received the Diversity Scholarship, which was awarded to incoming freshman that were going to bring diversity of experience and fresh perspectives to campus. While at Bucknell, I was Vice President and Social Chair of my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and proudly graduated as a First-Generation College Graduate. My entire life, including college, I have worked odd-jobs to survive. My degree is a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Financial Management and Accounting. I am proud to have participated in Student Managed Investment Fund, a year long course where selected students invest and manage a portion of Bucknell's endowment. After graduation, I have gained life experience working as a Senior Financial Analyst at a commercial real estate brokerage in Morristown, as an Interior Design Salesperson in Short Hills & Manhattan, and as a DJ in NYC & Brooklyn."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in New Jersey
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Sean Kirrane (R)
I believe in a smaller, smarter federal government that delivers measurable results instead of empty promises. Every dollar collected from taxpayers should reach citizens — not bureaucracy. I’ll fight to cap administrative costs at 10% across federal programs, eliminate waste, and restore accountability. Government must focus on outcomes, not politics — strengthening affordability, security, and opportunity for working Americans through efficiency and execution, not endless expansion.
Preserve. Protect. Progress.
These three words define my campaign and my philosophy of leadership. We must preserve the values that built America — hard work, family, and community. We must protect citizens’ rights, safety, and dignity — especially the most vulnerable among us: seniors, veterans, and working families. And we must progress toward a stronger, fairer future by restoring affordability, reducing government waste, and investing in innovation. My vision is a results-based conservatism that honors tradition while creating opportunity for the next generation.
Real-World Leadership for a Broken Washington.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
As an Earth-first, health-first minded candidate, I am deeply concerned about the health and sustainability of our home planet, as well as our own bodies, and see vividly how the two are interwoven and inter-related. It is of upmost importance that we pay much closer attention to the chemicals and pollution we are releasing into the air, our waters, spraying on our crops, processing into our foods and feeding to our children and loved ones.
I am deeply concerned about the impact of lobbying and self-profiteering in our federal government, as many existing politicians are bought and paid-for by large corporations and interest groups. I am deeply concerned that career politicians in DC are enriching themselves by voting on behalf of their own financial holdings and interests, and not the constituents they are there to actually represent. Many existing politicians accept massive funding from the Fossil Fuel industry, and even more from AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby. I believe this lobbying and campaign financing shackles our representatives to advocating for their financiers and contributes massively to the problems we have with the war on science and participation in genocide.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Adam Rueda (Independent)
I am also very interested in election reform, including ways to boost voter turnout and ways to empower new, fresh candidates, outside of establishment Republicans and Democrats, to have a legitimate chance in elections without having to bend-the-knee to large corporations or interest groups. This could include ballot reform, open primaries, and much more.
Our party is passionate about thinking creatively about gun control, which could include reform to gun storage req., increasing hoops to get a gun, including mental health evaluations, as well as limiting access to assault weapons.
Sean Kirrane (R)
I also deeply respect Jack Kemp, a conservative who believed that economic opportunity was the best social program. He saw no contradiction between capitalism and compassion. Kemp fought to expand homeownership, urban investment, and upward mobility — principles that mirror my own legislative priorities today.
And finally, Ronald Reagan taught us that optimism is a leadership strategy. He governed with conviction but also with grace, reminding us that America is strongest when we lead with confidence, not fear.
From Eisenhower, I take discipline; from Kemp, opportunity; from Reagan, optimism. Together, those values define the kind of leader I want to be — one who can bridge complexity with clarity and lead by example. Leadership isn’t about noise; it’s about measurable progress. I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t just talk about reform — I executed it. That’s the standard I hold myself to, and it’s the one I’ll bring to Congress.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching — and being honest about what government can and cannot do. Accountability means measuring success by outcomes, not intentions or speeches. Too many politicians are rewarded for promising, not performing. That culture has to change.
Execution is the missing ingredient in Washington. We don’t lack ideas — we lack the discipline and management skills to implement them. The same rigor that drives a business or hospital to succeed should apply to public policy: clear goals, measurable progress, and consequences for failure.
A true public servant should see themselves as a fiduciary for the taxpayer — every dollar spent belongs to someone who earned it. They must protect individual liberty, ensure safety and security, and create conditions where families and businesses can thrive.
I believe elected officials should listen more than they speak, admit when they’re wrong, and lead by example. Leadership is not about claiming credit; it’s about building confidence in the institutions that serve the public. My standard is simple: if I wouldn’t tolerate a lack of performance in the private sector, I won’t accept it in government. America deserves leaders who deliver results with honor, humility, and accountability — because that’s what the people who pay the bills deserve.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
First, legislation should be clear, limited in scope, and results-driven. Congress should prioritize what affects citizens most directly: affordability, security, and opportunity. That means simplifying the tax code, cutting waste, protecting homeownership, strengthening healthcare access, and ensuring that every policy passed can be measured in terms of real benefit to the people who fund it. Laws should be written in plain English, not buried in bureaucratic language, and should include sunset provisions that force review and accountability.
Second, oversight is equally vital. Congress must hold federal agencies accountable for performance and transparency. Too often, unelected bureaucrats create de facto laws through regulation. The House has the constitutional duty to ensure those agencies execute the will of the people — not their own agendas. Effective oversight means demanding metrics, audits, and outcomes — the same way any board or CEO would assess performance in the private sector.
Finally, constituent service is where leadership becomes personal. Every phone call, every letter, every case file represents a citizen trying to navigate a government that’s become too large and impersonal. It’s our duty to make it work for them. My philosophy is simple: if a government office wouldn’t meet the standard of a well-run business, it needs to change.
A member of Congress should approach the job with the discipline of an operator, the empathy of a neighbor, and the integrity of a fiduciary. The people deserve nothing less than measurable results, delivered
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
For most of my career, I’ve been called into organizations on the edge of failure — hospitals that were bankrupt, financial systems in freefall, companies losing credibility with regulators. Each time, I built structures that stabilized operations, restored solvency, and delivered measurable success. That experience shaped how I see government today: not as a political machine, but as a national operating system that needs to be re-engineered from the ground up.
My legislative framework reflects that same vision. The American Citizens’ Primary Residence Mortgage Act strengthens the foundation of middle-class ownership. The American Citizens’ Health Insurance Act brings fiscal discipline to universal coverage. The Homeless Solutions and Stability Act replaces chaos with structure and dignity. Each of these is designed to make the system work — not just sound good in theory.
But my legacy goes beyond policy. I want to help America lead the world in ethical technology. As the inventor of the Cortex-X AI Behavioral Governance System, I’ve developed the first architecture that ensures artificial intelligence remains auditable, ethical, and under human control. If we can export that model — where innovation serves humanity, not the other way around — then we secure both our moral and economic leadership.
My legacy should be measured the way I measure success in business: by what’s still standing and improving long after I’m gone. If the systems I build keep serving citizens decades from now, then I’ll have done my job.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Colleagues were trying to reach friends, family, and contacts in the city. Phone lines went dead. For hours, the only thing that mattered was making sure everyone was accounted for and safe. That day, I witnessed both the fragility and resilience of human systems—financial, operational, and emotional.
9/11 changed how I viewed leadership forever. It taught me that crisis doesn’t build character; it reveals it. In moments of chaos, titles and politics don’t matter—execution, communication, and courage do. It also showed me how interdependent our systems truly are: when the planes hit, both human lives and the financial arteries of the country were at stake.
That experience planted the seed for my lifelong focus on stability, preparedness, and accountability. Whether in banking, healthcare, or technology, I’ve carried that lesson with me: every system must be built to withstand the unexpected. It’s why I believe government must be led like a critical infrastructure—resilient, disciplined, and always ready to protect the people it serves.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
That experience changed my life. It taught me that real leadership isn’t about waiting for permission — it’s about seeing a problem, owning it, and delivering results. I was twenty-one years old and managing cash operations for a $7 billion commercial bank, helping design new liquidity models and interest rate hedging strategies. I learned more about responsibility in those early years than I could have from any classroom.
That job also shaped how I see government. In banking, there’s no margin for error — everything must reconcile. You can’t spend more than you have, and you can’t defer accountability. I wish Washington worked that way. That first experience taught me that discipline and innovation aren’t opposites — they’re partners. The systems that last are the ones that are built on both. I’ve carried that mindset into every role since, and it’s exactly what I’ll bring to Congress: disciplined leadership that fixes what’s broken and gets results that actually add up.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
I first read The Republic in college, long before I ever thought about public office. What struck me then—and still resonates now—is how Plato saw leadership not as a pursuit of power but as an obligation of wisdom. The “philosopher-king” wasn’t meant to be a ruler above the people; he was the ultimate servant, bound by reason and duty to act for the common good. That ideal has guided my entire career.
In business, I learned that systems collapse when those in charge chase influence instead of outcomes. Plato warned of the same thing—governments that decay when virtue yields to ambition. His discussion of justice, specialization, and civic harmony mirrors the challenges we face today: how to balance freedom with order, and innovation with ethics.
The Republic also explores the dangers of illusion—how societies can be manipulated by shadows on the wall instead of truth. In the age of artificial intelligence, misinformation, and political theater, that allegory feels prophetic. It’s why I believe every system—political or technological—must have mechanisms of accountability and truth.
I return to that book often because it reminds me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice—it’s about having the clearest purpose. It’s a timeless reminder that our duty as citizens and leaders is to align power with principle, and ambition with accountability.
Sean Kirrane (R)
I relate to Stark because I’ve spent much of my life at the intersection of innovation and responsibility. I built the Cortex-X AI Behavioral Governance System, the first patented architecture designed to make artificial intelligence transparent, auditable, and ethically governed. In essence, it’s a real-world version of Stark’s vision: creating powerful technology that remains accountable to human oversight.
What I admire about the character is that his evolution mirrors what I believe leadership should be—moving from ambition to purpose. Stark begins as a brilliant but self-focused creator; he becomes a protector through self-awareness and sacrifice. That’s growth rooted in humility. It’s the same transformation great leaders undergo when they realize success isn’t measured in wealth or recognition—it’s measured in the stability and safety you create for others.
Stark also symbolizes the American spirit of invention: building, breaking, rebuilding, and never giving up. He fails, learns, and adapts—a process I know well from turning around struggling companies and developing new frameworks for healthcare and finance.
Ultimately, Tony Stark represents what I believe America must be in the 21st century: innovative, ethical, and unafraid to lead. The tools of progress mean nothing without moral architecture. That’s the lesson at the heart of both Iron Man—and the work I’ve dedicated my life to advancing.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Early in my career, I had a tendency to push too hard. I’d walk into a situation, see the inefficiencies immediately, and want to rebuild everything at once. It worked in the short term — balance sheets improved, teams stabilized — but I sometimes missed the human element: that people need time to process change. As I matured as a leader, I learned that the most effective reformers don’t just change systems; they change minds.
The second struggle was personal: managing stress and isolation while constantly leading in crisis. When you’re the person everyone calls to fix the impossible, you rarely get the luxury of slowing down. I had to learn that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself — it’s about empowering others to share ownership.
That lesson reshaped how I lead today. Whether I’m in a boardroom or running for Congress, I approach reform as a team sport, not a solo act. I focus on developing frameworks, not dependencies — systems that can stand on their own. The balance between urgency and patience, intensity and empathy, is still something I work on every day. But that struggle made me a better leader — and a better human being. It taught me that progress without compassion isn’t success; it’s just motion.
Sean Kirrane (R)
What makes the House truly unique is its constitutional authority over the power of the purse. Every dollar spent by government begins with the House, which gives it a direct line of accountability to taxpayers. It’s not just a legislative body — it’s the nation’s chief financial steward.
The House’s diversity of background, region, and ideology mirrors the complexity of America itself. Its strength lies in the constant renewal of voices and ideas — ordinary citizens stepping up to serve, bringing fresh perspectives to government. That turnover, when healthy, prevents stagnation and keeps the system honest.
At its best, the House embodies American democracy: debate that is loud but free, disagreement that’s passionate but productive, and representation that keeps government grounded in the lives of real people — not insulated elites. I view service in the House as the most direct opportunity to translate citizen experience into national policy that delivers measurable results.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
Career politicians often confuse institutional familiarity with competence. I’ve spent over twenty years fixing broken systems in healthcare, finance, and technology — sectors that operate under far greater complexity and accountability than most government agencies. That kind of real-world experience is exactly what Washington lacks. We need leaders who’ve met payrolls, managed budgets, and been held responsible for results — not just for rhetoric.
That said, prior public service can provide valuable understanding of legislative process and constituent needs. The ideal balance is a Congress made up of both seasoned public servants and accomplished professionals from outside government — people who bring fresh ideas and practical execution skills.
The danger comes when political longevity becomes a substitute for effectiveness. Too many in Washington have spent decades talking about the same problems they were elected to solve. I believe diversity of experience — especially from fields like healthcare, business, education, and technology — is essential to designing better policy.
Ultimately, effectiveness in Congress isn’t about seniority; it’s about competence, integrity, and the ability to execute. The system works best when representatives are leaders first and politicians second.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
Affordability is the immediate crisis. Housing costs have soared beyond reach, healthcare expenses are crushing working families, and everyday essentials — from food to insurance — have outpaced wages. We’ve built an economy that rewards speculation and bureaucracy over productivity and contribution. Reversing that trend requires disciplined fiscal policy, smart deregulation, and targeted investment in citizens — not systems.
Stability is the next frontier. Our federal government operates like a distressed enterprise: overleveraged, inefficient, and incapable of executing at scale. That instability fuels uncertainty for families and businesses alike. We must restore financial integrity to the federal balance sheet, rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity, and ensure energy independence to shield our economy from global shocks.
Finally, trust — the most important and the most fragile — must be rebuilt. Americans have lost faith in nearly every major institution, from government to media to healthcare. Without trust, even good policy fails. The next decade must be about restoring credibility through transparency, results, and competence.
If we can’t make America affordable, stable, and trustworthy again, no amount of partisanship or spending will matter. But if we bring accountability back to governance — if we measure progress by outcomes, not intentions — then we can make this next chapter of the American story stronger than the last. The future isn’t about more government; it’s about smarter, accountable leadership that empowers citizens to thrive.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
In addition, we have a massive problem with gun control as schools, churches and public places continue to be attacked with assault rifles meant for the battlefields of war.
Furthermore, the health and education of our general public and our children is of upmost priority. It is crucial we regulate food companies, that are often in business or in-partnership with pharmaceutical companies, and get Americans off of the processed-food to prescription-drug hamster wheel that is ever-profitable for big business, but does not serve any everyday American or their wallets.
Sean Kirrane (R)
That short cycle forces constant engagement with constituents. It prevents complacency and encourages efficiency — qualities sorely missing in modern government. It also ensures that new leaders, new ideas, and new priorities can emerge quickly when the nation’s needs change.
However, the two-year term also demands discipline. Representatives must learn to govern while campaigning, which is why execution and focus are essential. Those who treat the office as a performance platform get lost in the noise; those who treat it as a fiduciary responsibility use the limited time to make measurable impact.
Some argue for longer terms to promote continuity. I disagree. Stability should come from sound policy and good governance, not from insulating representatives from accountability. The Founders designed the House to reflect the immediate pulse of the public — not to be comfortable. That tension between responsiveness and restraint keeps our democracy healthy.
If we pair the two-year term with meaningful reforms like term limits and campaign finance transparency, the system can once again reward performance, not politics. I see the two-year term not as a burden, but as a constant reminder of who holds the real power: the American people.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
Term limits would restore urgency, humility, and perspective to government. The longer someone stays in office, the more they begin to see power as an end in itself rather than a responsibility to others. That’s why we now have a political class more focused on managing optics than solving problems. The same individuals rotate through hearings, committees, and leadership posts for decades while major issues — affordability, healthcare, housing, border security — remain unsolved.
In the private sector, leadership is judged by results. In Washington, too often it’s rewarded by tenure. That’s backward. We need to bring back the sense of urgency that comes from knowing your time to make a difference is limited. Term limits would open the door for new ideas, new energy, and a new generation of citizen-leaders — people who understand the real-world effects of policy because they’ve lived them.
I would support a framework of 12 years maximum in Congress — two Senate terms or six House terms — with no loopholes. That’s long enough to learn the job and make an impact, but short enough to prevent the calcification of power. Alongside term limits, I also support lifetime lobbying bans for former members to prevent influence-peddling after service.
If we expect government to change, we must change the incentives that drive it. Term limits won’t solve every problem, but they would break the inertia that protects the status quo — and that’s the first step toward restoring trust and performance in Congress.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
Jack Kemp was a Republican who championed economic growth while fighting for urban investment and opportunity. He understood that conservatism works best when it lifts people up, not when it simply cuts programs. Kemp’s “empowerment economics” — lowering taxes, expanding homeownership, and encouraging work — closely mirrors my own vision of affordability and upward mobility.
Paul Tsongas, a Democrat, represented another kind of courage: fiscal honesty. He warned that debt and overspending were the greatest threats to America’s future, even when it was politically unpopular. That same candor is needed today.
From Reagan, I take the lesson that optimism and conviction are not opposites. A leader can be firm in principle while inspiring unity. Reagan didn’t govern through anger or division; he led through vision and belief in America’s exceptional spirit.
What I aim to model is the combination of integrity, innovation, and execution — leaders who had ideas worth fighting for and the discipline to make them real. My focus isn’t on imitation but on reintroducing results-based leadership to Congress: where ideas are measured by impact, not ideology.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
That conversation crystallized for me what’s broken in our system. When hardworking Americans can’t afford a home, something is fundamentally out of balance. It’s why I wrote the American Citizens’ Primary Residence Mortgage Act — to protect affordable homeownership for working families and stop speculative capital from pricing people out of their own towns.
Their story isn’t unique — I’ve heard versions of it across New Jersey. Families squeezed by rising costs, seniors afraid to downsize, young adults unable to stay near their parents. These are not economic statistics; they’re human lives shaped by policy failure.
That couple reminded me that leadership isn’t about slogans; it’s about fixing what people actually feel. Every policy I propose — in housing, healthcare, or homelessness — starts from that same place: restoring fairness, affordability, and dignity for the people who keep our communities strong.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Compromise should never mean abandoning your values — it means recognizing that no one has a monopoly on good ideas. The most productive negotiations begin with a shared goal: making life better for the people you serve. When that’s the foundation, differences in approach become strengths, not obstacles. That’s how successful organizations, communities, and yes, even nations, thrive.
Washington has forgotten how to do this. Too many politicians view compromise as surrender instead of leadership. The result is gridlock, chaos, and a government that lurches from crisis to crisis while families and businesses wait for stability. We need more problem-solvers and fewer performers — people willing to sit across the table, respect opposing perspectives, and get the job done.
I believe in principled compromise — negotiating on method, never on mission. On core issues like fiscal responsibility, national security, and individual liberty, there can be no retreat. But on how we get there, we must be willing to collaborate, test ideas, and adjust when data and reality demand it.
My standard is simple: if a compromise creates measurable benefit for citizens without expanding waste or weakening our values, then it’s not a concession — it’s progress. America’s greatness has always come from its ability to unite competing visions into shared purpose. That’s not weakness. That’s leadership.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
If elected, I would use this power to restore fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability to federal spending. The federal government doesn’t have a revenue problem; it has a management problem. Too often, Congress delegates financial decisions to unelected bureaucrats who treat taxpayer funds as limitless. That ends when the House reclaims its rightful authority over the purse.
I would champion a “results-based budgeting” approach: no new revenue measure or spending authorization without performance metrics and sunset clauses. Every program must justify its existence based on measurable outcomes, not political talking points. This is how successful organizations manage money — and it’s how Congress should too.
Additionally, I would push to simplify the tax code, close loopholes that reward speculation over productivity, and ensure citizens keep more of what they earn. The power to tax is the power to shape behavior; we should use it to reward work, family stability, and American competitiveness.
The Founders gave the House the power of the purse so the people could control the government, not the other way around. My priority would be to restore that balance — and make Washington answer to the taxpayers again.
Sean Kirrane (R)
As someone who has rebuilt failing organizations, I know that the first step to fixing any system is identifying where it’s broken. The same applies to government. The House should use its subpoena and hearing powers to audit the performance of federal agencies, review regulatory impact, and root out inefficiency and fraud. This process should be transparent, data-driven, and professional — not performative.
Key areas deserving sustained oversight include healthcare waste, financial mismanagement, the security of federal data systems, and the growing influence of unaccountable administrative agencies that effectively write laws without congressional consent.
Every investigation should produce actionable recommendations, not just headlines. Committees should be staffed by qualified professionals — auditors, economists, and subject-matter experts — who can help turn findings into reform.
The House’s oversight role is how Congress reasserts control over an expanding executive branch. It’s not about scoring political points; it’s about restoring trust in the institutions that serve the public. Accountability builds confidence — and confidence builds a stronger Republic.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
Their story hit me hard because it represents what’s broken in America’s housing market: middle-class Americans being pushed aside by forces beyond their control. That conversation became a catalyst for one of my most important policy proposals — the American Citizens’ Primary Residence Mortgage Act. The goal is simple: to protect homeownership for American families by creating a Citizen Interest Credit that shields primary-residence buyers from speculative competition and foreign capital distortion.
That couple’s story wasn’t about economics; it was about fairness and dignity. They weren’t asking for handouts — just a fair chance. They reminded me that government’s job isn’t to promise everything, but to make sure the playing field is level.
Their struggle also underscored a theme I see everywhere — people doing everything right and still falling behind because the system is broken. I promised them I’d fight to fix that, and I meant it. Every policy I’ve written — housing, healthcare, homelessness, AI ethics — is about restoring balance, opportunity, and trust.
That couple’s story wasn’t just touching; it was clarifying. It reminded me why I’m running — to make sure the people who hold our communities together can afford to live in them.
Sean Kirrane (R)
Cortex-X is a recursive cognitive governance system that enforces ethical oversight, contradiction detection, and symbolic role control across predictive AI models. It creates a built-in chain of reasoning that can’t drift into bias or unverified output without triggering an override. In plain terms, it’s the architecture that keeps AI honest — ensuring it remains a tool for human advancement, not a threat to it.
Building it wasn’t just a technical exercise; it was the culmination of decades spent leading complex organizations where transparency and accountability meant survival. I’ve seen firsthand how systems — financial, healthcare, or governmental — collapse when governance fails. So I built one that can’t.
I’m proud of this accomplishment because it represents more than innovation — it represents responsibility. I didn’t invent Cortex-X for profit; I designed it to help set a national and moral standard for how we develop and deploy artificial intelligence. It’s now part of a broader patent family that includes cognitive scorecards, clinical emotional-intelligence engines, and decision-integrity models — all aimed at aligning technology with humanity.
In a century defined by AI, I want America to lead not just in speed, but in ethics. Cortex-X is my contribution to that future — proof that we can innovate with both brilliance and conscience.
Sean Kirrane (R)
I am the inventor of the Cortex-X AI Behavioral Governance System, a patented architecture that creates a layer of ethical oversight and recursive decision control above predictive models.
Cortex-X introduces symbolic role enforcement, contradiction detection, and moral override logic — ensuring that no AI system can act outside the boundaries defined by human operators. It transforms AI from a black box into an auditable, explainable, and governable system.
Government’s role should be to set standards, not stifle innovation — to require traceability, explainability, and security across all AI systems used in commerce, healthcare, and defense. We need a National AI Governance Framework, modeled after the principles embedded in Cortex-X, that ensures transparency and liability from the lab to the battlefield.
America must also lead globally in defining AI ethics. If we fail to create rules that align technology with liberty, authoritarian regimes will impose systems that replace freedom with control. Responsible innovation must become a national security priority.
AI should never replace human judgment — it should enhance it. With proper governance, it can strengthen democracy, improve healthcare, and drive productivity. Without it, it becomes the greatest unregulated power in human history. The choice — and the leadership — starts here.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
Sean Kirrane (R)
2) Ballot Tracking & Transparency — Mandate a national “Track-My-Ballot” system for all federal elections (in person, absentee, mail-in) so each voter can verify submission, receipt, and count of their ballot. This increases trust and reduces questions about whether ballots were mishandled.
3) Uniform Mail-Ballot Chain-of-Custody and Deadlines — Establish federal minimum standards for mail-in ballots: require postmark by election day or receipt by election day (unless a justified exception exists), require secure drop-box use, and standardize procedures for ballot acceptance, recounts and challenges.
4) Risk-Limiting Audits & Auditable Results — Require all jurisdictions conducting federal elections to implement statistically rigorous risk-limiting audits (RLAs) after each election to verify results. This builds confidence and ensures results can be trusted.
5) Independent, Bipartisan Election Oversight Boards — Create or strengthen independent, non-partisan election oversight commissions in federal elections (and incentivize states to adopt similar structures) to handle registration integrity, voter roll maintenance, post-election audit reviews, and public reporting.
6) Protections for Election Workers & Officials — Increase penalties for threats, intimidation or interference targeted at election officials, poll workers and their families to safeguard the individuals who administer our elections.
7) Modernization & Funding — Provide federal matching grants to states meeting standards for modernization of voting equipment, secure online registration, cyber-security protections, and official training. Emphasize that federal funds are contingent on compliance with federal minimum standards.
8) Clear Certification & Challenge Procedures — Clarify federal statutes for when states certify results, how objections or recounts are triggered, and ensure transparent public processes (building on recent reforms to the Electoral Count Act)
9) Accessible Voting for All Eligible Citizens — Ensure lawful, eligible citizens— including military and overseas voters—have simple registration, absentee ballot access, and clear deadlines consistent with prior federal law.
How This Aligns With My Philosophy:
Trust & Accountability: Voters must believe that every valid vote counts and that the process is transparent and secure.
Efficiency & Results: Just as I’ve emphasized in other policy areas, the federal government should set clear standards and metrics for election administration, not simply add more layers of bureaucracy.
Access + Integrity: The legislation balances ease of access for eligible voters with robust safeguards against abuse—neither suppressing citizens’ rights nor leaving gaps that erode public confidence.
Citizen-Centered Design: Just like in the policy frameworks I’ve proposed (housing, healthcare, homelessness), the focus here is on delivering tangible outcomes—secure ballots, verified registration, trustworthy results—not on partisan advantage.
Adam Rueda (Independent)
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Gottheimer | Democratic Party | $835,819 | $12,173,636 | $9,374,676 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Nick Gebo | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Chandiha Gajapathy | Republican Party | $50,000 | $49,999 | $0 | As of November 23, 2025 |
| Sean Kirrane | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Adam Rueda | Independent | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
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General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]
| Race ratings: New Jersey's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| 12/9/2025 | 12/2/2025 | 11/25/2025 | 11/18/2025 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | |||||
| Decision Desk HQ and The Hill | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Ballot access
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in New Jersey in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in New Jersey, click here.
| Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
| New Jersey | U.S. House | Ballot-qualified party | 5% of the entire vote cast for members of the General Assembly at the last preceding general election, held for the election of all of the members of the General Assembly, in the district | N/A | TBD | Source |
| New Jersey | U.S. House | Unaffiliated | 5% of the entire vote cast for members of the General Assembly at the last preceding general election, held for the election of all of the members of the General Assembly, in the district | N/A | TBD | Source |
District history
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.
2024
2022
2020
District analysis
This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.
See also
| New Jersey | 2026 primaries | 2026 U.S. Congress elections |
|---|---|---|
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Voting in New Jersey New Jersey elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 |
Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries |
U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
