Rep. Scott Garrett condemned Donald Trump's recent remarks about women.
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Scott Garrett, a leader of the House Republicans' most conservative wing and facing a tough fight for re-election, criticized Donald Trump's comments about women on Saturday and suggested that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence would be a better presidential candidate.
While stopping short of asking Trump to step aside, Garrett (R-5th Dist.) said Pence, the vice-presidential nominee, "would be the best nominee for the Republican Party to defeat Hillary Clinton."
Other vulnerable House Republicans, including Barbara Comstock of Virginia and Mike Coffman of Colorado, specifically have asked Trump to quit the race. Trump apologized for his remarks and told the Washington Post Saturday, "I'd never withdraw."
House Democrats use Trump against Garrett
House Democrats have sought to tie Garrett, the most vulnerable New Jersey member of Congress, to Trump, who heads the Republican ticket in November.
Garrett issued his statement following the release of a video quoting Trump as using expletives and vulgar words to describe kissing and groping women.
"Donald Trump's comments are inexcusable," Garrett said. "I am appalled that he would brag about violating a woman's physical boundaries. As a husband and father of two daughters, I denounce his comments and the behavior that it incites."
Garrett is a tough race for re-election against former White House speechwriter Josh Gottheimer. Both the Cook Political Report and the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, two Washington-based publications that track congressional contests, rate the race a tossup.
He is a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, which helped bring down Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and blocked the ascension of Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to the speakership.
Gottheimer called Garrett's statement "his latest, pathetic bid for self preservation."
"It's true that Tea Partier Scott Garrett hasn't been caught on tape like Trump, talking about 'violating women's boundaries,'" Gottheimer said. "But he certainly has spent his career voting against women," such opposing abortion rights and the Violence Against Women Act.
Trump chose Pence as his running mate over two other finalists, Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who both have served as senior advisers to the presidential nominee.
Pence has strong ties to Christian conservatives and as Indiana governor signed legislation allowing businesses to claim religious freedom and refuse to serve gay and lesbian customers.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook