‘Stand up and fight’: Dem congressman vows to deliver ‘knockout punch’ to Trump

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who is running for New Jersey governor, said Sunday that Democrats need to fight President Donald Trump everywhere, but also clearly communicate the party’s direction on policies that directly affect voters.

"I think that's the key. There is all about the economy and showing them that that's our number one focus. Can you afford to feed your kids, put clothes on their back, pay your bills, with housing prices and rents where they are," he said during an appearance on CNN Sunday morning.

"People are really struggling, and I think our challenge is actually explaining where we're going; how I'm going to lead Jersey to make make people's lives more affordable here, get their costs and taxes down," he continued.

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The gubernatorial hopeful said voters aren't receiving that message from Democrats at the national level, but he is doing his best to have those conversations in his state.

"And I know it's working because that's actually what they engage in. They want to know: What are you going to do to make sure that I can feed my kids; that we're going to actually fight Trump when he messes with social security or Medicaid or Medicare? And what are we going to make sure that I can afford to live here and retire here?"

When asked about one of his campaign ads that showed him boxing Trump, Gottheimer said the voters "want to know that their governor is going to fight when someone comes in and messes with them."

"They want to know that we're going to stand up and fight.," he said, adding that he has always been willing to sit and talk with his opponents. "But let me be clear: you mess with us, we're going to mess with you back. And they want to know that someone's not afraid to fight and stand up for us," Gottheimer said.

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Gottheimer added that he remains the only Democrat who has ever beaten a sitting Republican incumbent. "I won my seat first Democrat in 84 years to hold my seat, and I just won the last election, and I think we got to be prepared for that. And that's why New Jersey is going to be so important," he said, adding that he is best-suited to not just win the primary, but also deliver a "knockout punch" to Republicans.

New Jersey voters will head to the polls in November to elect the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor, with the primary election slated for June 10. This pivotal race will determine who succeeds Gov. Phil Murphy (D), who is term-limited and cannot seek a third term.

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