Somers Point Man Drops Out Of Second Congressional District Race

A Somers Point man who won the endorsement of the Gloucester County Republicans has dropped out of the race for the Second Congressional District seat that will become available when longtime Congressman Frank LoBiondo retires.

Brian Fitzherbert announced he is withdrawing from the race Friday morning. Fitzherbert said a judge ruled to invalidate enough signatures on his petition to drop him below the threshold needed to run.

“Among other invalidations, apparently young conservatives that have grown (along with their signature) since they registered and thus have ‘a different signature’ was enough for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ),” Fitzherbert said in a press release. “Or voters that signed a second candidate’s petition whom they connected more with over the primary.”

Fitzherbert was suddenly short seven signatures, and spoke with a number of attorneys in an attempt to appeal the decision.

“After many discussions and deliberations, the conclusion became that there was no viable option to secure my position on the ballot again,” Fitzherbert said. “With that realization, I have determined that its best that I suspend my campaign for the United States House of Representatives in the 2nd District of New Jersey. The fact that legally I’m seven signatures short of being on the ballot is on me. Lesson learned.”

The Republican Primary field narrows to four, including former Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi; former Atlantic County Freeholder Seth Grossman; businessman Hirsch Singh; and former FBI Agent Robert Turkavage.
On the Democratic side, State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, retired teacher Tanzie Youngblood, human rights activist Nate Kleinman and former Congressional Aide Will Cunningham are running for their party’s bid.

The Democratic and Republican primaries will take place June 5. June 5 is also the date to file petitions to run an independent or third party bid. Libertarian John Ordille and independent candidate Anthony Parisi have already announced their bids, and Fitzherbert said he has heard support for a write-in bid on June 5.

“The sheer number of people asking to ‘write-in’ my name on June 5 through social media is beyond humbling,” Fitzherbert said. “All of those in South Jersey that have contacted the campaign showing support for my candidacy is like rocket fuel to stay engaged. Words can’t describe it.”

The general election is Nov. 6.

In announcing his candidacy back in January, Fitzherbert said district needs a “young, fresh, new face with innovative ideas.”

He spoke about growing up in the district, including “countless trips to Storybook Land, Castaway Cove, or Wonderland (not to mention boogie boarding and building sand castles on the Jersey Shore)."

"As I grew older, I took up kayaking and late nights playing mini golf on the Ocean City Boardwalk," he said in his announcement. "Hitting the mall in Mays Landing was always a short drive away and heading down to the Jersey Cape never lost its magic; whether it was visiting Sunset Beach to find Cape May diamonds, hitting the zoo, whale watching, or walking the steps of the Lighthouse. I enjoyed the Hammonton Blueberry Festival, cheering on the Cowtown Rodeo, and taking chances playing the slots at the casinos of Atlantic City when I was old enough. Not to mention basking in the beauty of South Jersey's symbolic beaches, state forests, and wildlife refuges.

"The counties that make up South Jersey are unique to anywhere else in the state. It's such a special community with the Pine Barrens, beaches, farms, fishing, and the very people that make up the region. We make our own language with jimmies on ice cream, hoagies for lunch, and shoobies to point out to our friends."

On Friday, he said that even though he is dropping out of the race, he will continue to fight.

“I continue to stand strong in my principles; I’m ProLife because a heartbeat ends a life just as it begins a life,” Fitzherbert said. “The SecondAmendment is my gun permit and it’s in the Constitution to protect the other 26. I’ll continue to support the WarFighter in theater and do everything I can when they come home as Veterans. I’ll remain a proud foot soldier for Donald Trump and his efforts to Make America Great Again.”

He also thanked those who supported his candidacy.

"I’m humbled by Chairman Jim Philbin and the Gloucester County GOP. They endorsed me and I will never forget the support and loyalty they showed me during the ballot issue process," Fitzherbert said. "They were approached to drop me and endorse another candidate but they refused. 'Brian is our candidate,' they charged. Those in Gloucester GOP are the very example of what it means to be a Republican."

The attached image of Brian Fitzherbert was provided