Somers Point Man To Pursue Second Congressional District Seat

A Somers Point man is joining the race for the Second Congressional District seat that will become available when longtime Congressman Frank LoBiondo retires. Saying the district needs a “young, fresh, new face with innovative ideas,” Brian Fitzherbert announced he will run for the seat in the Republican Primary on Wednesday.

He joins former FBI agent Robert Turkavage in the Republican Primary. On the Democratic side, State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, 32-year-old William Cunningham and retired teacher Tanzie Youngblood will pursue the nomination. Anthony Parisi will run an independent bid for the seat.

“I’m a Republican who believes in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and protecting the shorelines, wetlands, and refuges,” Fitzherbert said in his announcement. “ … I’m a businessman, engineer, and project manager in the defense and aerospace industry with one goal: economic insurgency. The votes I cast will be in support of developing the 2nd District and ushering in a new chapter for South Jersey.”

He said the biggest lesson he took away from the recent recession and the legalization of gambling in neighboring states is that the portfolio within the district must be become more diverse.

“South Jersey is full of resilient, dynamic people and we’ve faced tough challenges in the past. Unfortunately, the politicians of yesterday have put our future success in jeopardy,” Fitzherbert said. “In 2006, competition hit the region once more as the first of seven casinos began to close their doors; seven remain. Why? Because the idea that Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and Maryland would ever legalize casino gambling had become a reality. The competition exploded among the neighboring states and South Jersey politicians failed to push policies and a clear vision to adjust with the changes. With the casinos closings, thousands of jobs were lost, property taxes increased to cover lost casino revenue, and thousands of retirees left the state for North Carolina and Florida in search of cheaper places to live out their golden years. As a result, Atlantic County became the most foreclosed county in the nation and an anchor on the 2nd District.

“In 2010, South Jersey was left behind during the economic recovery that followed the Great Recession. Millennials in particular couldn’t get good jobs, pay off their student loans, and are putting their lives on hold while they live in their parents’ houses attempting to save money. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit our shores and devastated homes, small businesses, and personal lives.

“Here we are in 2018 and the politicians of yesterday have yet to bring forth ideas that focus on bettering our future. The time has come for a new wave for South Jersey and it starts with rejuvenating and transforming Atlantic City once more. With Congressional Republicans passing, and the President signing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, South Jerseyans have an opportunity for revitalization. As we all know, the bill wasn’t perfect. But, we have the chance to bring jobs and economic development back to the region.”

The Second Congressional District covers all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, and parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean counties.

It’s a district Fitzherbert is familiar with. 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. “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.”

He said his employment has taken him to Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Maryland, where he worked in aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.

“I want to use my experience and education to bring South Jersey back to its promise,” Fitzherbert said. “This includes bringing priorities of the 2nd District to the forefront in Congress and working with members to get good legislation passed that focuses on the constituents and massive economic development. My vision is founded in my experience as a Project Manager, where I manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare simulators and testers, area attack weapons, and ground control stations among other products. I managed multimillion dollar contracts and coordinated with hundreds of suppliers and small businesses while successfully maneuvering regulatory red-tape to support the War Fighters in the Army, Navy and Air Force. It warranted attention to detail, budgeting, scheduling, and working with conflicting priorities.”

LoBiondo announced in November he would be retiring at the end of this year after serving in office since he was first elected in 1994. National Democrats have targeted the seat as one that could be flipped.

The deadline for filing in this year's primaries is April 2. The primary, as well as the deadline to file as a third-party or independent candidate in the elections, is June 5. General Election Day is Nov. 6.

The attached image of Brian Fitzherbert was provided