📚 Summer school. Josh Gottheimer holds 6 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
Own campaign is 18.5% PAC, but OpenSecrets lists his leadership PAC 'Jersey Values PAC,' which accepts PAC/corporate money. Running a corporate-funded leadership PAC fails Open Books. (FEC/OpenSecrets 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
72%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair with a generally respectful, deal-making posture toward the other party.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
70%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Centrist affordability-and-security agenda; his gubernatorial launch mixed anti-Trump framing with policy proposals.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
68%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Generally accurate; criticized for tactical positioning but no major documented falsehood on the fact-check record.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
68%★ earned
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Documented independence from progressives via the Problem Solvers Caucus and bipartisan deals at intra-party cost.
60
7Morality
74%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Large but legal, disclosed transfer of nearly $10M to a supporting super PAC; no corruption finding (New Jersey Globe).
60
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This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →