Pro-Trump Republican Mulls Congressional Run Against Norcross

A former Collingswood Public School District Board of Education member has announced she is looking to challenge incumbent Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) in next year’s Congressional elections.

Republican Claire Gustafson has formed an exploratory committee to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy in next year’s Congressional elections. She will challenge incumbent Democrat Norcross in the First Congressional District, which covers parts of Camden and Gloucester Counties, and two towns in Burlington County.

Gustafson said the Republicans need to nominate candidates who will stand by President Donald Trump, which she will do.

“Republicans I’ve talked with don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes,” Gustafson said. “They want a candidate who understands that ‘reproductive rights’ does not mean using abortion as a form of birth control. They want a pro-Second Amendment candidate who isn’t afraid to voice their support for President Trump’s policies. I’m solidly behind our President and don’t believe in pandering. If I run Republicans will get the candidate they want.”

Her platform reflects that of the Camden County Republican Party, which began embracing the president’s message over the summer.

“Change is upon us,” the Camden County Republican Committee said in a Facebook post on July 5. “The CCGOP will not tacitly make our case for candidates or positions, we will engage with smash mouth politics on every issue. The differences between conservative Republican and middle American values and those of the progressive Democrats are vast. We will amplify our ideological differences with those on the left with our love of family, flag and faith. No longer will we be thought of as weak or unengaged.”

The group’s Facebook cover photo now depicts Trump, and Eric and Lara Trump showed up at a recent fundraiser at Trump National Golf Club in Pine Hill.

Norcross was first electedto the seat in 2014, defeating former Philadelphia Eagle Garry Cobb for the seat vacated by Rob Andrews.

Former Magnolia Mayor Joe Adolf said the Republican Party “got it wrong in 2014.”

“Claire’s got some experience having served on Collingswood’s school board and she’s proved she can run an aggressive campaign,” Adolf said in Gustafson’s announcement. “This is a great opportunity for Republicans to right a wrong and run a candidate not afraid to take the fight to Congressman Norcross.”

“I met Claire when she ran in 2014 and, frankly, she was a far better choice than the party’s handpicked candidate. If she runs she will have my endorsement and support. I will encourage Gloucester County to award her the line,” Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. said in the release.

Camden County has long been a Democratic stronghold. In 2018, Norcross defeated Republican Paul Dilks in his re-election bid. In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton doubled the number of votes Trump had in Camden County, 117,308 to 59,716. However, in Gloucester County, Trump narrowly edged Clinton, 66,949 to 66,355.

“Without a doubt running in CD1 is going to be tough,” former Stratford Councilman John Dudley said. “We need a candidate up for the challenge. Claire is an experienced campaigner, of the names I’ve heard wanting to run she’s the only one tough enough to take the fight to Norcross. I hope she makes it official and runs.”

Siding with Trump has not been a guaranteed win for Republican candidates in other parts of South Jersey. In 2018, Seth Grossman was vocal about his support for the president in his pursuit of the seat vacated by longtime Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo.

Although he won the Republican nomination, he failed to win the endorsement of any county committee and ultimately lost to Democrat Jeff Van Drew. Van Drew has claimed national attention as one of the few Democratic Congressman in the country who is opposed to the impeachment inquiry.

A blue wave came to another traditional Republican stronghold in 2018, when Democrat Andy Kim unseated Republican incumbent Tom MacArthur in the Third Congressional District. Read more here: Kim Edges MacArthur In NJ's 3rd Congressional District, AP Says

Gustafson is siding with a president currently facing an impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives. Norcross represents a party that has seen its share of in-fighting over the last year.

Earlier this year, the Democratic Party establishment was challenged by the Camden County Progressive Democrats in primaries throughout the county. It even pushed the party to establish a progressive caucus. Read more here: Facing Primary Challenge, Democrats Establish Progressive Caucus

The Camden County Democratic Party fended off the challenges in many towns, including Gloucester Township and Cherry Hill, as well as the county level seats it challenged for. However, it won county committee seats in Collingswood.

There has also been fighting between Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross, Donald Norcross’s brother, over tax incentives. Read more here: NJ Advocate Forcibly Removed From Tax Incentives Hearing

“Exploratory committees are about gauging support and determining if the financial resources to be competitive will be there,” Gustafson said. “No Republican will match Congressman Norcross dollar-for-dollar, but whoever the candidate is must be able to raise enough money to force him to keep his money in the district and not send it to the second and third districts. If we determine I can raise the money needed to do at least that, I’ll be in.”