NJ 3rd District House Race: David Richter

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Voting in the Nov. 3 general election is underway in New Jersey, with mail-in ballots being distributed to voters to make their selections for offices from the president down to local races.

That includes voting for the House of Representatives for New Jersey's Third Congressional District, which includes portions of Ocean and Burlington counties.

David Richter is one of four candidates seeking to represent the Third District, challenging incumbent Democrat Andy Kim, and independents Martin Weber (For The People) and Robert Shapiro (Independent Constitutional Candidate).

Richter and his wife, Michelle, live in Island Heights with their four daughters. He will be 54 at the time of the November general election.

Patch asked the candidates a series of questions; here are Richter's responses.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.S., B.S.E., J.D., University of Pennsylvania; M.Sc., University of Oxford; M.P.A., Harvard University

Occupation

Former CEO, Hill International, Inc. (22 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None. This is my first run for public office.

Campaign website

www.Richter2020.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’ve been fortunate enough to live the American Dream. I grew up like many of you in a working class neighborhood with parents that struggled to make ends meet. Later in life, I joined a struggling family business and built it into a global leader in the construction management industry, creating thousands of jobs along the way. I am running for Congress so that I can give back to the country that has given me so much throughout my life.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes and the economy. If elected I will make sure that there are further tax cuts for the middle class. President Trump did a great job with the first round of tax cuts, but we can and should do more. Cutting taxes spurs job growth and creates growth in our local economy.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The current Representative of this district is a career politician. He has made it his job to keep the status quo. I am a political outsider who knows what it means to have to meet a payroll and work within a fixed budget. In the private sector you can’t just raise taxes. If you run out of money you go out of business.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Andy Kim is a puppet for Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda. He votes with Nancy Pelosi 97 percent of the time. More specifically though, he has failed our veterans. Most recently, a project that is vital to the health care of veterans in Ocean County was canceled and Congressman Kim needs to be held accountable.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will fight for lower taxes, smaller government and less regulation.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I would again point to the success we had at Hill. I joined a small family business that was on the brink of bankruptcy and by the time I left, Hill was a New York Stock Exchange-listed public company worth nearly a quarter of a billion dollars.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Your integrity and your reputation are the most important things to your success in life.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong conservative Republican, I support President Trump and in Congress I will fight for South Jersey.