WASHINGTON -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, rated as just a slight favorite to win a second term, is getting some re-election help from his fellow Democrats.

The House Majority PAC, a super political action committee aligned with the House Democratic leadership, began running online ads Tuesday in support of Gottheimer, D-5th Dist.

The ad touts Gottheimer's willingness to work with Republicans on issues such as cutting regulations and growing the economy, while opposing the GOP tax bill that targeted the federal deduction for state and local taxes.

"Just over a year into his first term, Congressman Gottheimer is dedicated to providing real tax relief for hardworking middle-class families," PAC spokesman Jeb Fain said. "House Majority PAC is making sure that North Jersey families know just how hard Josh Gottheimer is working to boost the local economy and put more money back in their pocketbooks."

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Chris Martin said Democrats have been forced "to hit the panic button" because of Gottheimer's voting record and because an aide wrongly sent out a press release highlighting the campaign's fundraising totals from his congressional account.

Gottheimer ousted seven-term House Republican Rep. Scott Garrett in 2016 and is considered a slight favorite for re-election by the Cook Political Report, a Washington-based publication that tracks congressional races. Freshmen traditionally are the most vulnerable of all incumbents.

He is ahead of last election's record-setting fundraising pace, bringing in almost $3 million through Dec. 31 and entered January with $2.6 million in the bank.

On the Republican side, Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate and New Jersey governor, put $1.2 million of his own money into the race and and reported $1.1 million cash on hand at the beginning of the year.

John McCann, general counsel to the New Jersey Sheriffs Association, raised $12,302 and lent his campaign $125,000. He entered January with $129,426 to spend. Both McCann and Lonegan are among those highlighted by the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee as potentially strong challengers to Democratic incumbents.

A third Republican, Jason Sarnoski, raised $75,998 and had $20,542 cash on hand.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.