Pastor Of Hudson County Church Says He'll Run For Governor

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A pastor of a church in North Bergen said he hopes to get the Republican nomination to take on Gov. Phil Murphy in fall, according to a story in NJ.com.

NJ.com noted that the priest, Phil Rizzo, who lives in Harding Township near Morristown, is a businessman who worked in real estate and built homes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The story notes that he "will bring a far-right, anti-establishment voice to the state GOP primary. Rizzo hopes to implement lower taxes, end to statewide lockdowns and mask mandates, and has called for greater school choice and the abolition of abortion."

Rizzo's views have been controversial. He has spoken against kids wearing masks to school, calling it "child abuse." On the day of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, he made reference to the Revolutionary War, but later clarified he didn't advocate the riot. After former Gov. Christie said he'd go on TV to urge Americans to wear a mask, Rizzo Tweeted in response, "You should do a PSA on obesity. Over 300,000 die every year from it. #Unmask #StopEating."

The church was founded in Hoboken years ago, then moved to North Bergen. It still uses a Hoboken post office box. Read more here.

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