County Officials Reaffirm Support For Gibbs In Congressional Race

Following the news that a Republican is switching districts in order to run for Congress, officials in Burlington County are reiterating their support for a former freeholder seeking the seat.

"There is, was, and always will be only one choice to defeat Andy Kim this year — nominating Kate Gibbs as our Republican candidate for the Third Congressional District,” Assemblyman Ryan Peters said on Friday. “I'm 100% supportive of my friend and former running mate Kate Gibbs and look forward to hitting the campaign trail with her, so we can send Andy Kim packing in November."

"Kate Gibbs knows how to get a job done, and that's why it's no surprise to me that she was named to the National Republican Congressional Committee's 'On the Radar' list for their Young Guns program after being a candidate for just two months,” Assemblywoman Jean Stanfield said. “As momentum for Kate continues to grow throughout the district and even in Washington, I am proud to be a part of #TeamKate and stand with her as she continues to earn the support of voters throughout the Third District."

The statements were issued after David Richter announced he was leaving the Second Congressional District to pursue the Republican nomination in the Third District earlier this week.

He made the switch after incumbent Rep. Jeff Van Drew left the Democratic Party and became a Republican late last year. Richter had been campaigning to run against Van Drew when he was a Democrat.

He joins Gibbs, the former Burlington County Freeholder, along with former Hainesport Mayor Anthony Porto and Barnegat Mayor John Novak in pursuit of the nomination.

The deadline to file petitions to run in the primaries is March 30, while the deadline for third-party candidates to file petitions to run in the general election is June 2.

The deadline to register to vote is May 12. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 3 p.m. on June 1, and the deadline to return an absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on June 2. Election Day is Nov. 3.

For more on how to register and how to find your polling location, visit the state's website.