Rep. Tom MacArthur to Run for Re-election in Third Congressional District

Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-3) is seeking re-election this year, the Congressman announced on Thursday.

“I have no interest in being a creature of Washington nor someone who simply toes the party line on every vote,” MacArthur said in a release announcing his candidacy. “I ran for Congress to work with Democrats and Republicans to solve the pressing problems we face and to be a strong voice for the people of Burlington and Ocean Counties. I am announcing my re-election today to continue that work and to help bring our nation together to confront the serious challenges we face at home and abroad.”

MacArthur is expected to face either Frederick LaVergne or Jim Keady in the November elections. LaVergne won the support of the Burlington County Democratic Committee, while Keady won the support of the Ocean County Democratic Committee. They will compete in a contested primary on June 7, according to philly.com. Keady is known widely as the man Gov. Chris Christie told to "sit down and shut up" at a news conference on the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.

MacArthur was elected in 2014, defeating Democrat Aimee Belgard for the seat left open when Jon Runyan decided not to run for re-election.

Since then, he has made securing the future of Joint Base MDL one his highest priorities. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Vice-Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, and the Natural Resource Committee.

He called on the head of FEMA to step down following reports of agency-wide dysfunction and corruption that had an impact on Ocean County residents struggling to recover and rebuild from Sandy.

He’s also called for a foreign policy that seeks to destroy ISIS, not just contain it.

He’s promoted reforms he hopes help grow the economy and create jobs, including mandating additional protections for pregnant women in the workplace.

He has been an advocate for the large number of seniors and veterans that call New Jersey’s Third Congressional District home.

The Third Congressional District covers most of Burlington County, including Cinnaminson and Moorestown, and a large portion of Ocean County.

The attached image of Tom MacArthur is a file photo