Gottheimer seeks to unseat Garrett in northern New Jersey

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NEWS) - Rep. Scott Garrett's campaign is busy calling voters and recruiting volunteers for the New Jersey Republican. Right now, the seven-term incumbent is fighting for survival. He is running neck in neck with Democrat Josh Gottheimer, who has never held a political office.

Garrett represents the 5th Congressional District, which is Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. This year, he is considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the country.

Gottheimer is a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and executive with Microsoft. He has been able to outperform Garrett with fundraising. In a 3-month period, Gottheimer raised $1.1 million. Garrett raised $539,898. And this race is nasty.

Garrett is a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, hard-line conservatives that led the ouster last year of House Speaker John Boehner. Now, Gottheimer, a socially progressive candidate, could win Garrett's seat. And he is getting support from some local Republicans.

Both camps will be battling it out until Election Day.