Gustafson Gets In CD1 Race

Claire Gustafson

As expected former Collingswood School Board member Claire Gustafson has jumped into the CD1 GOP congressional primary. Her press release follows:

COLLINGSWOOD – Former Collingswood school board member Claire Gustafson announced today, via video, that she has entered the race to challenge Congressman Donald Norcross in New Jersey’s First Congressional District.

Gustafson announced on November 12th that she formed an exploratory committee “to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy for Congress” and said today, “The exploring is done. I spent the past few weeks talking with friends, family and colleagues and am confident we will be able to raise the funds necessary to run an aggressive campaign against Congressman Norcross and the political machine that has a stranglehold on South Jersey.”

In her announcement video Gustafson makes it clear she is a pro-President Trump Republican saying, “I am unapologetically Republican and proudly stand with President Trump. I am a Republican because I believe in hard work, self-reliance, smaller government, the preservation of our Judeo-Christian values and the free-enterprise system that has made America the envy of the world.”

Gustafson’s announcement video can be viewed at, https://vimeo.com/376950757 or https://gustafson2020.com/.

About Claire Gustaafson: Active in her community, Claire is currently the President of Camden County New Jersey Republican Women, a former school board member in Collingswood, a former soccer and Little League coach and a member of Collingswood’s historic commission. She’s owned her own small business for over 30 years and is married with four sons, one daughter and several grandchildren.

Camden And Gloucester GOP Organizations Collect Over 500 Toys At Annual Toys for Tots Event

Jacci Vigilante, Santa Claus & Rich Ambrosino

Last night, for the third year in a row, Republicans from Gloucester and Camden Counties came together for what has become a tradition, their annual joint collection event for Toys for Tots at Adelphia Restaurant.

It was a well-attended event with all three CD2 congressional candidates, David Richter, Bob Patterson and Brian Fitzherbert working the room. CD1 congressional candidate Josh Duvall was working the room. Currently exploring a run in CD1, Claire Gustafson, arrived with Santa Claus (a source close to Gustafson, namely me, said to watch for an announcement from Gustafson soon). One US Senate candidate, Rik Mehta, was smart enough to recognize that Camden County ranks ninth in statewide Republican voter registration and showed up to work the room. Several local elected officials made appearances and the last Republican to serve as Camden County’s Freeholder-Director Joe Condo was on hand.

It was their most successful joint collection event, beating last year’s collection of 400 toys by more than 100.

Following is the joint statement on the event from Gloucester County Republican Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante and Camden County GOP Chairman Rich Ambrosino:

DEPTFORD – Last night the Camden County and Gloucester County Republican organizations came together for their third annual joint collection event for Toys for Tots at Adelphia Restaurant.

“Our two organizations work well together,” Gloucester County Republican Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante said. “We share parts of two congressional districts, two state legislative districts and office space. While our two organizations often work together to try to win elections, this particular event is without a doubt a favorite of the rank-and-file. Everyone is happy to come together for this good cause.”

The two organizations combined to collect more than 500 toys for children that might otherwise have little to celebrate at Christmas.

“Our joint Toys for Tots collection has quickly become a tradition for our organizations,” Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino said. “Many members of our organizations are considered community leaders, as such, it is important we are active within the community. This is to us, one great way of giving a little back and we’re all happy to do it.”

CD2 Action: Richter Comes With More Endorsements

David Richter

I was in the middle of typing an ICYMI today on GOP congressional candidate David Richter announcing “the endorsements of four elected officials in Mullica Township, Atlantic County” yesterday because for whatever reason I missed the release. However, as I was typing the ICYMI piece Richter announced two more endorsements today, Atlantic County Freeholders John Risley and Richard Dase.

Yesterday, Richter received endorsements from Mullica Township Mayor Chris Silva, Deputy Mayor Larry Riffle, Councilwoman and Republican Club President Kristi Hanselmann, and Councilman Bruce Crowe. From the release:

“As someone who comes from a business background, David understands what it takes to be successful in business, and meet a payroll. David’s exemplary career in business makes him a worthy candidate for our support in his race for the Second District,” said Silva.

“As a Veteran, I want a candidate who I can trust, someone who is going to stand up for people like us. David is that person. I know that we can trust him in Washington to fight for us and our families,” said Riffle.

“I’m impressed by David’s energy. He has a plan, and a solid grasp on the issues affecting not only places like Mullica Township but all across the district. When he’s our Congressman, David will be able to deliver for us at the federal level to make our communities better at the local level,” said Hanselmann.

“I met David recently when he spoke to our Republican Club and I was impressed by his passion. David is someone who cares about us, and who wants to move our communities in the right direction. I’m proud to stand with him and support his campaign for Congress,” said Crowe.

Today’s endorsement from Atlantic County Freeholders Risley and Dase is significant because as Richter pointed out in today’s release:

“John and Rich are the first freeholders from any county in the district to make endorsements in this primary race and I am honored that they have decided to support my campaign for Congress,”

The freeholders had kind words for Richter. From the release:

Freeholder Risley said, “We have a great opportunity next year to take back this congressional seat from the Democrats and David is the best candidate to make that happen.  I look forward to campaigning with him as we work together to ensure a GOP victory in 2020.”

Freeholder Dase added, “While the primary is many months away, David has clearly demonstrated that he has the strong conservative principles to represent the Second District in Congress and I look forward to working with David to help make him our next Congressman.”

At the rate that Richter and Brian Fitzherbert are churning out endorsements the convention/screening committee season could be exciting and Bob Patterson, despite being number two in the money race, might be the odd man out. Time will tell!