Incumbent Andy Kim (D) defeated David Richter (R) and two other candidates in the general election on November 3, 2020, to represent New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) both included this race to their election target lists.
Kim was first elected in 2018, defeating Rep. Tom MacArthur (R), 50% to 49%. Kim's victory was the second time since 2010 the 3rd District had changed partisan control, when Jon Runyan (R) defeated Rep. John H. Adler (D). The seat was the 11th closest election of the 2018 cycle.
Donald Trump (R) won the 3rd District in 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton 51% to 45%. It was one of 30 House Districts nationally that chose a Republican for president in 2016 and was represented by a Democrat in 2020.[1] Though the 3rd District did not contain any of New Jersey's pivot counties, the district voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 before supporting Donald Trump (R) in 2016.[1]
Third party candidates included Martin Weber (For the People Party) and Robert Shapiro (Independent Constitution Party).
New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District is located in the south-central portion of the state and includes most of Burlington County and portions of Ocean County.[2]
The outcome of this race affected partisan control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 117th Congress. All 435 seats in the House were up for election. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232 to 198 majority over Republicans. The Libertarian Party had one seat. Four seats were vacant. Democrats defended 30 districts Donald Trump (R) won in 2016. Republicans defended five districts Hillary Clinton (D) won in 2016.
This race was one of 89 congressional races that were decided by 10 percent or less in 2020.
Richter and Weber provided responses to Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, which can be read here.
For more information about the Democratic primary, click here.
For more information about the Republican primary, click here.
Post-election analysis
The table below compares the vote totals in the 2020 presidential election and 2020 U.S. House election for this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.
| Presidential and congressional election results, New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, 2020
|
| Race
|
Presidential
|
U.S. House
|
| Democratic candidate |
49.2 |
53.2
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| Republican candidate |
49.4 |
45.5
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| Difference
|
0.2
|
7.7
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Election procedure changes in 2020
- See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.
New Jersey modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: Mail-in were ballots sent to all registered voters in the general election.
- Candidate filing procedures: Candidates were allowed to collect and submit petition signatures via electronic means. The petition deadline for unaffiliated candidates for non-presidential office was postponed to July 7, 2020.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Candidates and election results
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[3] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.
Party:
Democratic Party
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
Biography: Kim attended Deep Springs College before transferring to the University of Chicago where he received a bachelor's in political science in 2004. He received a master's in philosophy and an international affairs doctorate from Oxford University in 2007 and 2010, respectively. Kim worked as a foreign affairs officer in the State Department from 2009 to 2013. From 2013 to 2015, he served as the director for Iraq on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama (D).
Key Messages
The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.
Kim discussed healthcare in campaign ads and on his campaign website, saying that he, along with other Democrats, "will fight so no one loses their healthcare for having a preexisting condition and hold down skyrocketing insurance premiums." Additionally, he expressed support for expanded care to veterans, a permanently funded Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), and community health centers in rural areas.
Kim referenced his career working in intelligence and foreign affairs, saying, "I dedicated my entire career to serving the American people," adding, "I worked under both Democratic and Republican Administrations and I have always and always will put the nation and the American people above partisan politics."
Kim said members of Congress should understand their constituents' struggles. He said, "if you are going to fight for people across the country, you need to stay in touch with them and the battles they are fighting," adding, "It's why I hold monthly town halls and post my schedule every day, so the people of New Jersey know that I am fighting for them."
Show sources
Party:
Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Richter is the former CEO of global construction management firm Hill International. During his time at the company, Hill grew from a struggling family business with less than 300 employees into a successful public company with more than 4,300 employees. A lifelong Republican, Richter grew up in and has spent most of his life living and working in the Third District. He earned two bachelor's degrees and a law degree from Penn as well as master's degrees from Oxford and Harvard. Richter and his wife Michelle, who have been married for 20 years, are the parents of four daughters."
Key Messages
To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.
Rebuild the economy and create jobs.
Cut wasteful government spending.
Party:
For the People Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "A veteran running for veteran's healthcare and term limits "
Key Messages
To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.
Campaign finance
This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[4] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[5]
The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.
| Name |
Party |
Receipts* |
Disbursements** |
Cash on hand |
Date |
| Andrew Kim |
Democratic Party |
$7,358,015 |
$6,869,994 |
$551,835 |
As of December 31, 2020 |
| David Richter |
Republican Party |
$1,558,169 |
$1,555,148 |
$3,021 |
As of December 31, 2020 |
| Martin Weber |
For the People Party |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Data not available*** |
| Robert Shapiro |
Independent Constitution Party |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Data not available*** |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.
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District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+2, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District the 220th most Republican nationally.[6]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.96. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.96 points toward that party.[7]
Race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[8]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[9][10][11]
| Race ratings: New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020 |
|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings |
| November 3, 2020 | October 27, 2020 | October 20, 2020 | October 13, 2020 |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely Democratic | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Lean Democratic |
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Lean Democratic |
| Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season. |
|---|
Noteworthy endorsements
- See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements
This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.
Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.
Timeline
2020
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Andy Kim
| "Working for the People" - Kim campaign ad, released Oct. 18, 2020
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| "Supporting Our Small Businesses" - Kim campaign ad, released Oct. 18, 2020
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| "Andy and Tom" - Kim campaign ad, released Oct. 18, 2020
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A sample ad from the candidate's Facebook page is embedded below. Click here to see the candidate's Facebook Video page.
David Richter
| "Time for Results" - Richter campaign ad, released Oct. 7, 2020
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| "Time for Action" - Richter campaign ad, released Sept. 9, 2020
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| "Back to Work" - Richter campaign ad, released May 14, 2020
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Satellite group ads
| Click "show" to the right to see satellite group ads. | |
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Opposing Richter
| "By the Numbers" - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee campaign ad, released Oct. 8, 2020
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| "Failed" - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee campaign ad, released Sept. 21, 2020
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| "We can't count on David Richter" - League of Conservation Voters campaign ad, released Sept. 8, 2020
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Opposing Kim
| "Intelligence" - Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund campaign ad, released Sept. 8, 2020
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Debates and forums
October 1 debate
On Oct. 1, Kim and Richter participated in a debate hosted by the New Jersey Globe on the Zoom meeting application.[24]
Click on the links below for summaries of the debate from:
Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
Andy Kim
Kim's campaign website stated the following:
| “
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FIGHTING FOR YOU, FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND FOR OUR COUNTRY
In my promise to do everything I can to help us get through this crisis and build the foundation for a better future, I think about three essential fights. For each and every one of you, I’m fighting for an effective response to the pandemic to get you healthy, safe, and back to work. For your families, I’m fighting for lower health care and prescription drug costs as well as increased access to care so our system can keep us healthy and financially viable in a world where another pandemic may be just around the corner. And for our country, I’m fighting to fix the corrupt political system in Washington to ensure your voice speaks louder than the special interests, and to restore America’s place in the world as a global leader for good.
- FOR OUR COUNTRY: Serving the American People. Not Corporations.
- My son’s preschool teacher asked him recently what his dad did for work. My son looked up at him and said “my dad tries to help people.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
- I’m not a politician, I’m a public servant who was proud to work under both Republicans and Democrats. I believe there is a better way to govern. One that treats people with respect. One that defines politics by the personal, guides itself by asking what it can do to help our constituents. One that is more about moving forward than about today’s big fight. One that places the voices of the people over the voices of the special interests.
- Rebuild American Infrastructure: In Congress, I have been push for a major investment in infrastructure right now. If ever there was an issue that was bipartisan, it would be infrastructure. It is a win-win issue as we can rebuild America and also create a new generation of jobs if we make the right investments. Our economy won’t succeed without the right infrastructure. Roads, bridges, tunnels, power grids, and ports across New Jersey and the country are crumbling and need to be rebuilt and maintained in a smart way. We must also invest in our technology infrastructure to make sure that every community has affordable access to the high speed internet connection that is vital to growing local economies.
- Campaign Finance Reform: One of the first things I did when I was elected to Congress was co-sponsor legislation to strengthen our democracy and help end the corroding influence of money in our politics. We need to fight against dark money that allows millions of dollars to pour into our elections without requiring disclosures of donors. We need to find more ways to encourage public financing and other tools so Americans don’t need to be millionaires in order to run for office. We also want to explore the use of matching contributions and other steps to empower grassroots supporters and ensure they have a voice.
- Fight Against Corruption in Washington: Our leaders should absolutely be held to the highest standards. Corruption, harassment of any kind, abuse of power, fraud, and other concerns must not be tolerated. I co-sponsored and led the way to pass legislation to strengthen ethics rules and improve enforcement, and I’m working on steps to stop Members of Congress from being able to own and trade individual stocks that can cause enormous conflicts of interests as we saw when Senators dumped stocks before the Coronavirus hit.
- End Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression: Voters should choose their politicians instead of politicians choosing their voters. Elected officials should never be involved in drawing political lines, and all states should have a bipartisan/nonpartisan approach to redistricting. It is also vital to ensure we work to stop voter suppression. I’ve worked to introduce legislation to protect the efforts to improve access to our democracy, and will always fight to lift up the voice of people in our democracy.
- Change What It Means to “Represent”: We can’t expect a Congress full of members who don’t understand the struggles that Americans face every day to understand how important it is to solve them. I believe if you are going to fight for people across the country, you need to stay in touch with them and the battles they are fighting every day—to pay their bills, provide for their families, and save for retirement. It’s why I hold monthly town halls and post my schedule every day, so the people of New Jersey know that I am fighting for them.
- Protect Against National Security Threats. My children are growing up in a world more dangerous than the one I grew up in. The threat of nuclear weapons has returned, and instability and conflict affect every corner of the globe. As a career public servant and national security expert, I am working in Congress to be a champion for a strong, responsible, and strategic national security operation that focuses on defense, but also diplomacy and development. As the world rebuilds in the wake of the coronavirus, I will fight for an America that steps up as a global leader in the community of nations.
- Recover from Superstorm Sandy and Prepare for the Next One. Too many people are still struggling to recover after Sandy. That’s why I introduced a bill that would provide direct relief to New Jersey communities by forgiving all federal loans given out in the effort to rebuild after the storm. After what we saw in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico, we know it is only a matter of time before we get hit again. We are not ready. We need to help people in New Jersey to mitigate risks by raising the height of homes and protecting our communities, and stop Republicans from making changes to the National Flood Insurance Plan that would gut spending for flood maps and be a boon for the same private insurance companies that underpaid Sandy families and allow them to cherry pick who they cover.
- Treat the Opioid Epidemic as a National Security Crisis. Our leaders in Washington aren’t doing enough to address the devastation of opioids. Six times the number of people are dying from opioid-related overdoses today than they did twenty years ago. This is a national security crisis that takes more lives than any war or conflict that we are engaged in, but President Trump is not taking it seriously. We need a real national strategy and full funding to stem the tide.
- Respond to Climate Change as a National Security Crisis. Climate change is real, and our response must be swift and serious. Exiting the Paris Climate Agreement and gutting the Environmental Protection Agency are hurting all of us. I will advocate for legislation that will bring immediate, pragmatic solutions to addressing our climate crisis.
- Restore American Leadership Abroad. The wake of the coronavirus crisis represents a critical moment to restore American leadership on the world stage. On the House Armed Services Committee, I am a champion for strong, responsible, and strategic national security operations that focus on defense, but also diplomacy and development.
- FOR YOU: Leading the charge against the coronavirus and the damage done to our economy
- Our American Dream is built BY the people, BY American workers. But we live in a time when that dream feels like it’s slipping through our fingers. As we rebuild, we can change that.
- The Coronavirus crisis has shaken the foundation of our country, hurt our businesses and our jobs, and filled us with insecurity and anxiety about paying the bills and providing for our country. These are moments when we need to come together, help each other get through the present, and build for our future. That’s why I’m pushing on every lever possible to increase access to testing for everyone in New Jersey. Testing isn’t just a health tool, it’s a financial tool. Testing is where we know how we can open back up and begin rebuilding the American Dream we were promised.
- Even before this crisis, three out of four of us who work full-time were living Paycheck to Paycheck, and most are saddled with debt. There is no wonder that fewer than 1 in 5 Americans feel like they are living the American Dream.
- When I was a child, my parents explained to me that the American Dream was earning enough to support your family and build a secure future if you do an honest day’s work and play by the rules. Those that work hard should be able to retire with peace of mind. As we rebuild from the crisis at hand, this is how we will get back to that American Dream:
- Prioritize the American Worker. When workers win, America wins. As we invest in our future, we must remember that the foundation of our economy is the American worker. As our economy changes, we must provide workers at all levels and ages the resources to help them get ahead and ensure that they stay competitive. This means supporting unions, project labor agreements, a livable wage, safe work environments, and other critical initiatives that help American workers navigate the uncertainty. Our workers deserve to thrive, not just survive. I’ve been a leader on major efforts in Congress to stop the threats against collective bargaining and to give our local workers more opportunities to get work at the Joint Military Base right here at home.
- Support Veterans. Veterans have served our country and we must do everything we can to help them succeed, and that starts right here at home. They deserve more than just lip service that they have heard for years. I’m tired of having veterans in our community ignored. That is why I’m pressing hard to hold the VA accountable and to urge them to move forward on building a new veteran health clinic in Ocean county and improve services at the existing facility. Our VA services should be worthy of the men and women who they’re designed to serve. We should make sure that every veteran can get the care they need, when they need it. And we should ensure that as our servicemen and women are coming home, they have the resources and job opportunities they need to serve their country after they’re finished wearing the uniform.
- Getting You the Education to Stay Competitive. This means investing in teachers, schools and students; making college more affordable so we don’t saddle our next generation with enormous debt; and supporting trade schools and apprenticeships.
- Support Small Businesses. There has never been a time that is more difficult and dangerous for so many small businesses. The pandemic has changed everything. Being the only Member of Congress from NJ on the Small Business Committee, it is a personal mission of mine to help our small businesses that are the backbone of our district. From the river to the shore, it’s our small business owners who drive our economies and create jobs. As we recover from the coronavirus, I will fight for the federal funds our small businesses need to reopen and come back stronger than ever. I’ve taken a lead in Congress on fighting for our small business owners and giving the resources they need to help our working families thrive. I have championed legislation to reinstate net neutrality, and will simplify complicated accounting standards, ease rules that reduce access to capital, and remove other barriers that are making it harder for small businesses to compete with big corporations.
- End Gender and Workplace Discrimination. The gender pay gap is unfair and must end. I have co-sponsored and voted to pass legislation that would finally provide equal pay for equal work. Discrimination and harassment in the workplace are unacceptable. There needs to be dignity in our work and fairness and equality in our paychecks.
- Invest in the Industries of the Future. We won’t have better-paying jobs unless America remains a leader in global innovation and business. But our country is falling behind in key sectors. Our government’s policies and investments must be focused on ensuring U.S. technology powers the global economy of the future. At a time of 5G and AI, we need greater support for STEM education and investments in renewable energy, high-tech manufacturing, biotech, and other fast-growing sectors. Perhaps nowhere in the country is better suited for this type of high tech growth than New Jersey.
- Helping You Retire with Peace of Mind
- My mother retired last year and, like many other retirees, she has spent many sleepless nights worrying about how she will cover her bills. She, like many others, will depend on Social Security for nearly all of her income. She will depend on Medicare for her healthcare. Alarmingly, these same programs millions of people rely on are the ones Washington Republicans like have said they want to cut to address the hole they blew in the deficit with their unfair tax bill. Americans need more support and security, not Congress uprooting years of careful financial planning at the last minute to help finance a tax cut for millionaires and corporations.
- ➜ Protect and Expand Social Security.” A third of elderly Americans rely on Social Security for all of their income. We need to ensure that they get what they need and explore ways to provide additional security.”
- ➜ Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Medicare. On fixed incomes, rising drug costs are a major threat to security. No senior should ever have to cut their pills in half to afford rent or put food on the table. We must find ways to keep costs down by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for drugs and medical equipment and by requiring price justifications by pharmaceutical companies.
- ➜ Expand Retirement Accounts. Nearly half of all private sector employees in America, 55 million workers, don’t have a retirement savings plan through their employers. Let’s create more options to make retirement saving possible for these workers as well as people that are self-employed, caregivers, and others that do not currently have access to a 401k or pension program. Everyone should have an easy way to save for retirement.
- ➜ Support Community Living and Caregivers. Our elderly deserve to live with dignity and security. Let’s work together to ensure that they have the access, mobility, and support they need to thrive in vibrant communities.
- FOR YOUR FAMILY: Supporting and Protecting the American Family
- My wife and two trouble-making baby boys are my world. I am fighting every day to protect our families and give us every opportunity to provide strong and stable futures for our children.
- Lowering Your Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs
- Millions of Americans who live Paycheck to Paycheck are one accident or sickness away from disaster and far too many have lost their health care as a result of losing their job. My father suffered from polio as a child and my mother is a nurse who has served New Jersey residents for decades. They raised me to believe that no one in the richest, most powerful country in the world should die or go bankrupt because they can’t afford to go to a doctor. Our current system has expanded coverage to millions of Americans, but it still falls far short as costs keep rising.
- We need to build on the Affordable Care Act to provide affordable and accessible health care for all of us:
- Lower Prescription Drug Costs. One concern I’ve heard about so often while talking to people across New Jersey is the high price of prescription drugs. It is unacceptable that so many people are unable to afford the medications they need, and this needs to be addressed immediately. Congress must prioritize steps to reduce drug prices including allowing Medicare to directly negotiate lower prices with pharmaceutical companies, requiring pricing transparency, and implementing safeguards against price gouging.
- Get Everyone Covered. Our country, our economy, our security will be stronger when our people are healthier. Having millions of people without health insurance raises the costs for all of us. We need to ensure everyone, rich or poor, has access to quality affordable healthcare. This is our new moonshot, and we can save countless lives in the process.
- Give Everyone on Medicare Vision, Hearing, and Dental Coverage. I think it is ridiculous that our seniors who need vision, hearing, and dental work don’t get this through Medicare. I supported and helped pass a bill through the House of Representatives that would give everyone on Medicare this coverage. I want to get this now passed through the rest of Congress and signed into law.
- Invest in Doctors, Nurses, and all Medical Professionals. A doctor in Toms River told me that we need health care that focuses on people instead of profits. I couldn’t agree more. Every medical professional I talk to is focused on improving care for patients. We need to help train a new generation of professionals to ensure an adequate workforce. We also need reforms that transform the industry to reflect these providers’ values that prioritize patient care, not just treating problems. And we need to show the same commitment to serving our health care workers as they have shown to us in the fight against the coronavirus.
- Permanently Fund Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). CHIP is part of our promise to our children and playing politics with their health is embarrassing and disrespectful. Let’s never let CHIP expire again or worry about whether a child can get the care they need for a bright future.
- Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions. Even in the middle of a national pandemic, Republicans are still trying to take away basic protections for people with pre-existing conditions. They failed in the past because people across the country made clear what should have already been obvious—that taking away people’s health care is absolutely wrong. I will always stand up to protect those with pre-existing conditions, and continue to strengthen our health care system to make sure all who need care can get it.
- Expand Veteran Care. A veteran should never have to travel far to find care or wait too long to receive treatment. I owe my life to the armed servicemen and women who kept me safe in Afghanistan. I will always stand by them.
- Support Community Health Centers, especially in Rural Areas. Community health centers are key assets in our communities and they need funding and support to provide vital healthcare services, especially in underserved areas such as rural communities.
- Helping Our Families Afford What We Need
- ➜ Make Sure No Parent Must Choose Between Their Family and Their Paycheck. With two troublemaking boys of my own, I know the challenges many parents face juggling their job and their family—and I know many people out there have it even harder than mine. We need to make sure all workers have paid family leave and sick leave so they can be there for their families without worrying about their jobs. Parents across the country also need access to quality, affordable child care so they can know their children are in good care while they are at work.
- ➜ Fix Our Taxes by Creating Permanent Tax Cuts for Middle Class Families Instead of Corporations. We need tax reform that focuses on permanent cuts and the needs of the middle class—not just the wants of corporations and the wealthiest Americans. When Republicans were in control of Congress, they passed a massive tax giveaway that put big corporations and the super rich ahead of New Jersey families. People across NJ have made clear they think this backwards tax bill—which saddles our nation and future generations with over a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks that overwhelming go to corporations and the wealthiest Americans—is unfair and must be fixed.
- Protecting Our Families and Communities From Crises
- ➜ Protect Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. I will never take our Joint Base for granted. We all know how quickly the future of bases can change. I’m committed to protecting and supporting the Joint Base which is why once I was elected Congress, I fought to get a seat on the House Armed Services Committee. And to keep New Jerseyans working through this crisis, I introduced a bill to increase opportunities for local workers on military construction projects. As a former adviser to Generals Petraeus and John Allen in Afghanistan and as a former Pentagon official, I’m proud to serve on the Committee as a strong champion for the base, our armed service men and women, and our veterans.
- ➜ End Veteran Homelessness and Increase Health Support. With tens of thousands of veterans in our district, we need to expand veteran services, especially access to VA health facilities and programs. I will also prioritize efforts to make sure no veteran in New Jersey or across the country has to sleep on the streets. The words “veteran” and “homeless” should never appear in the same sentence.
- ➜ Stop Offshore Drilling. The Trump Administration’s recent decision to open New Jersey’s coast to offshore drilling is a threat to our way of life. Our beautiful shores, our home values, our recreational and commercial fishing industries, and our local businesses are in dire risk. I will relentlessly fight back against these threats with no compromise.
[25]
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| —Andy Kim’s 2020 campaign website[26]
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David Richter
Richter's campaign website stated the following:
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- CUT WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT SPENDING
- According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government will continue to spend more than it takes in over the next ten years, adding another $9 trillion to the national debt, which already stands at $22 trillion. This is a ticking time bomb for our economy, and career politicians in both parties who continue to ignore this problem are to blame. As your next Congressman, David will use his private-sector experience to streamline the federal bureaucracy and promote spending reforms that rein in the size and cost of government in order to balance the federal budget.
- REBUILD THE ECONOMY, CUT TAXES & STRENGTHEN SMALL BUSINESSES
- President Trump’s tax cuts were a good start and helped to spur economic growth, but more needs to be done to help South Jersey taxpayers under constant attack by Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats. In Congress, David will fight to lift the state-and-local-tax (SALT) deduction cap and further cut individual marginal tax rates. He will also press for additional reforms that incentivize entrepreneurship, help small and family-owned businesses grow, and ensure that America’s economy is built for success in the 21st century and beyond. David has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Business and Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC).
- SECURE OUR BORDERS AND REFORM IMMIGRATION POLICY
- Our immigration system is clearly broken, there is a crisis on our southern border, and liberal Democrats in Washington and Trenton are recklessly putting the rights of illegal immigrants ahead of both our own citizens and those seeking to become U.S. citizens lawfully. In Congress, David will oppose across-the-board amnesty, seek to ban so-called sanctuary cities and states, support construction of a wall along the border with Mexico, and increase funding for both the hiring of more border agents and the tools they need to secure our borders and keep Americans safe.
- DEFEND THE SECOND AMENDMENT
- David will be an ardent defender of the U.S. Constitution, including our Second Amendment rights, and will fight back against liberals who want to further infringe upon our constitutional freedoms. In Congress, David will support conceal-carry and work with President Trump to streamline the background check system to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, while ensuring that law-abiding citizens can continue to purchase firearms for hunting, sport, collection and self-defense. David has been endorsed by both the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America.
- INVEST IN OUR NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE
- As a civil engineer with more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, David knows how to get things built. His former company helped to build schools, hospitals, museums and courthouses. It managed the construction of airports, highways, rail and other infrastructure projects. And it oversaw development of renewable energy projects to help keep our environment as clean as possible. In Congress, he will work with President Trump and be a leader in the effort to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill that invests in America in order to improve our competitiveness and create millions of new jobs. He will also fight to bring federal transportation dollars back to South Jersey.
- SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT
- As the father of four daughters, David knows it is imperative that each generation leaves behind a world that is better than the one they inherited. That includes making sure the air we breathe and the water we drink is clean and safe. David supports President Trump’s withdrawal from the non-binding Paris climate accord, which put America, its taxpayers, and our economy at a disadvantage with countries around the world. At the same time, David believes more must be done to reverse rising sea levels that potentially threaten South Jersey’s coastal counties and towns, and that we must take a strong stand against drilling off the eastern seaboard, where an oil spill could devastate local economies, especially our recreational and commercial fishing communities.
- LOWER THE COST & IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE
- Many of the Democrats who ran for president over the past year, as well as many in Congress, are pushing for unaffordable new healthcare programs that would cost tens of billions of dollars. These programs would force private insurance companies into bankruptcy, destroying millions of jobs in the process. In Congress, David will fight against socialized medicine and work to promote market-based reforms that drive down the cost of medical care and prescription drugs while maintaining the high levels of quality that Americans have come to rely upon for their healthcare.
- PROTECT OUR SENIORS AND STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
- A recent government report said that the cost of Social Security will exceed its income in 2020 for the first time since 1982. On top of that, Medicare’s hospital insurance fund is projected to be depleted in less than seven years, likely leading to more financial burdens on our seniors. This is unacceptable. In Congress, David will work with members in both parties to ensure that our government keeps its promises to our seniors and strengthens both Social Security and Medicare now and for the future. The most prosperous country in the world must have a stable and secure safety net for its senior citizens.
- SUPPORT OUR MILITARY, OUR VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES
- In Congress, David will be a tireless advocate for our nation’s men and women in uniform, past and present, and their families, all of whom have sacrificed so much for our freedom and security. That means supporting increased funding for our national defense and reforming the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) healthcare system to ensure that each and every person who has served in this country’s military has ready access to the very best medical care we can provide. David will also proudly champion our military installations, such as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Loran Support Unit and Training Center Cape May, as well as the Civil Air Patrol.
- DEFEND, DON’T DEFUND, OUR POLICE
- Radical Progressives in Washington want to defund our law enforcement and put our communities at risk. David has always supported our law enforcement community and will stand beside our men and women in blue to keep our communities safe. David has been endorsed by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA).
- FIGHT FOR SOUTH JERSEY’S FARMERS
- David intends to make sure that New Jersey remains the Garden State. From blueberries and cranberries to corn and tomatoes, the South Jersey agricultural industry produces some of the best farm products in the world. But our region’s growers face myriad regulations that reduce their profits while providing minimal public benefit. In Congress, David will push for regulatory reform and fight for trade legislation that benefits, not handicaps, South Jersey’s family farms and agricultural businesses.
- STRENGTHEN THE U.S.-ISRAEL ALLIANCE
- Israel has been and always will be a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. Without Israel, the forces of radicalism could rage unchecked throughout the region. Israel is the beacon of democracy, hope, and stability in a region of the world that for decades has presented America with one of its most concerning geo-political challenges. As someone who is proud of his Jewish heritage, I look forward to being an outspoken leader in Congress in promoting and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. David has been endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC).
- For more information about David’s position on the disastrous Iran deal, click here.
- SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS
- Politics should not be a career. We should return to the vision of our founding fathers of a government led by its citizens. I have signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge and as a member of Congress I will co-sponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment establishing term limits for members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
[25]
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”
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| —David Richter's 2020 campaign website[27]
|
Martin Weber
Weber's campaign website stated the following:
| “
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- Marijuana Legalization For New Jersey
- August 21, 2020
- This year, the New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment is on the ballot in New Jersey as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020. Many people have asked Martin Weber what his views on marijuana legalization are and he is supportive.
- Martin believes that legalized sales of marijuana could provide an important new source of tax revenue that would only hit users and not the general public. Martin generally welcomes these kinds of taxes because they don’t impose a burden on anyone who is not using the product. This is important because New Jersey’s budget is being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and all the resulting restrictions that are being placed on small businesses and people. A tax on legal marijuana might help offset what is likely to be a horrific budget situation come 2021 and beyond.
- Martin also hopes that our leadership will find ways to support small businesses that want to get into the marijuana trade. “Marijuana legalization and the business opportunities that could come with it could be a boon to some of the entrepreneurs who have been devastated by this health crises” say Marty. Being a small business owner himself, Marty is extremely favorable to anything that can help the small businesses of New Jersey.
- Marty also believes that the current laws are disadvantaged against minority populations and marijuana legalization will decriminalize an activity that has disproportionately penalized certain communities in New Jersey.
- According to Drugpolicy.org, 663,367 people were arrested in 2018 on marijuana charges. “That’s way too many people” says Marty. “The money spent on incarcerating these people could be better spent helping our veterans and making our nation stronger”.
- When asked about the downside of marijuana legalization and use, Marty’s experience tells him that it is less dangerous than some of the legal substances we already have. “In all my years as a first aid responder, I don’t recall ever taking anyone to the hospital for marijuana. So. If they can come up with a nice way to do it, tax it, make it recreational for the people at home, not on the streets…we’ve got to control it but I think it is safer to smoke that than it is to drink a 12 pack”.
- Click here to see a video about Martin’s views on marijuana legalization.
- Martin Weber On Solar Technology
- July 30, 2020
- MARTIN WEBER FOR CONGRESS
- WEBER CALLING FOR SOLAR TECHNOLOGY ON ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION
- BARNEGAT, NJ: New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District Independent Candidate Martin Weber is calling for a new national reusable energy mandate that all new residential and commercial construction to have solar panels installed. “It’s a win-win for everybody”, says Weber. “There are so many people saving money on their monthly electric bill and even more people who want to save money on their bill”.
- Weber, who is currently a member of the Barnegat Township Zoning Board, feels that such a plan will help many people ranging in all age groups, but points out why there is a need for a nationally-mandated program. “We have senior citizens living in senior-only communities where they are not allowed to install panels on their home,” says Weber. “I would think senior citizens would be an obvious group that could benefit from having $3 a month electric bills.”
- The candidate does realize that this isn’t the case in all senior communities, but would like to see Home Owners Associations (HOAs) be more cooperative with people who want to participate. Weber also points out that a new solar mandate would make sense as there would be no more leasing solar panels, you would own them and pay them off as it would be factored in the sale of the home. “Younger families would save money right away with this plan,” says Weber. “Having these panels would also increase the value of the home which is great for homeowners.” Mr. Weber also points out that ownership of the panels would be transferable when the home is sold.
- Weber, 56, is the owner of YoBuck Landscaping Company in Barnegat and sits on the Zoning Board in town. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and former Captain of the Barnegat Volunteer First Aid Squad. Weber feels that an appropriate term limitation can range from a ten-year period for lower court judges to a fifteen-year period for Supreme Court Justices. Details on how to implement this plan will be released at a future date.
- Press inquiries can be directed to the campaign at press@martinweberforcongress.com
- For more information about the campaign, please visit our Website at
- martinweberforcongress.com or on Facebook at Martin Weber for Congress.
- Term Limits for Federal Judges
- July 21, 2020
- MARTIN WEBER FOR CONGRESS
- WEBER CALLING FOR TERM LIMITS FOR FEDERAL JUDGES
- BARNEGAT, NJ: New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District Independent Candidate Martin Weber has publicly called for Congressional term limits for over two years. Now, he is calling for term limits on another branch of the federal government—the Judiciary. “There is no reason for a life-time appointment to a government position”, says Weber. “It’s possible for someone in their late forties to get nominated and confirmed for a spot on the federal bench and stay there for thirty years or more—how is that right?”. Currently, the Supreme Court Justices with the longest tenure is Clarence Thomas who has been on the bench since October 1991, followed by Ruth Bader Ginsburg since August 1993.
- The candidate does recognize arguments in favor of life-time appointments, such as keeping continuity on the bench and not being at the whim of a political cycle, but sees such appointments as an impediment to progress. “Republicans and Democrats have their vision of the kinds of judges they want on the bench”, states Weber. “America needs to maintain a judiciary that is not at the mercy of politicians and special interests, but one that has competent jurists who will decide on the merits—not ideology.”
- Weber, 56, is the owner of YoBuck Landscaping Company in Barnegat and sits on the Zoning Board in town. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and former Captain of the Barnegat Volunteer First Aid Squad. Weber feels that an appropriate term limitation can range from a ten-year period for lower court judges to a fifteen-year period for Supreme Court Justices. Details on how to implement this plan will be released at a future date.
- Press inquiries can be directed to the campaign at press@martinweberforcongress.com
- For more information about the campaign, please visit our Website at
- martinweberforcongress.com or on Facebook at Martin Weber for Congress.
- Martin Weber’s Views on Education Policy
- July 10, 2020
- In terms of education policy, Martin Weber believes that education as a whole is a local issue where the citizens and the local community governments make decisions based on what they feel is best—without federal meddling.
- Given that early childhood is the most formative period in a person’s social and mental development, Marty believes we should help communities establish greater access to quality early childhood education opportunities for their children.
- In the current era of the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin believes that schools need to reopen but only in the safest manner possible for students and educators. This should be done in a way that meets the safety and education needs of the citizens of South Jersey and everywhere in the United States. Martin challenges local school districts to look at best practices in terms of social distancing, rotating students into classroom settings and in-person learning and disease prevention to determine how and when they reopen.
- Martin Weber has discussed his education policy positions with large numbers of people in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District and has met with overwhelming approval for his views. He is also grateful for the endorsement of Marilyn Wasilewski, the former Mayor of Barnegat Light and Member of the Long Beach Island School Board. Click here to watch her video endorsement.
- May 11, 2020
- Simplifying the tax code is one of the most important items that Martin Weber will be tackling in Congress this fall. As a small business person and an tax paying citizen, Martin thinks that our tax codes are difficult to understand and onerous. The only way to deal with the mess that is the U.S. tax code is radical simplification.
- According to PolitiFact, “If you download the Internal Revenue Code from the United States Code, also known as Title 26 in the document, the file is 6,550 pages long. Not all of that is the text of the code itself, but that is still rather lengthy. Blunt definitely got it right that the code is long, but has it doubled since 1985?” Marty believes that our tax code should be written on a single page and it would be better if it could be communicated on the back of an envelope.
- When Martin Weber becomes elected to New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District in 2020 he pledges to work to reduce the burden that our tax places on all of our citizens and businesses.
- May 11, 2020
- Setting term limits for Congress is an issue that seems to come up every year but there is never any progress. When the United States was founded nearly 250 years ago the sentiment and belief by George Washington and most of the rest of our nation’s founders was that citizens should serve in our government for limited time and then return to their farms and businesses. That sentiment seems to be long gone and the process is completely broken.
- Nowadays, service in Washington D.C. is a revolving door where members of Congress stay for as long as they can. There are many groups in our society who want to see this system continue forever. A host of business interests in the U.S. support members of Congress through campaign donations with the goal of having that member either introduce legislation that is favorable to them or to have the members shield their business activities in a whole range of ways.
- Martin Weber, who is running for New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District wants to break this cycle through term limits. Like the politicians at our nation’s founding, Martin Weber believes that there should be a limit to the number of times a person can serve. This applies to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate.
- It is Martin’s goal to go to Washington, D.C. and to initiate legislation that will enforce term limits for Congress. When he is finished, he will return to his successful small business in South Jersey and become a regular citizen again and not become a permanent fixture in our Nation’s capital.
- May 11, 2020
- Martin Weber has a very tight connection to the needs of small businesses in New Jersey. That’s because Martin has been a small business person and entrepreneur in South Jersey his whole life. He knows how hard it is to start a business and keep it running, even in the best of times. Now, during the COVID-19 crisis, small business owners all over Southern Jersey are receiving less support and more regulation from our government than ever. Martin Weber is committed to changing this.
- The news is full of stories about how large corporations are receiving subsidies from the federal government but small and medium businesses seems to be left behind. Not only are many of them not receiving the financial aid they need, the state of New Jersey has been issuing guidelines that are confusing and seemingly counter-productive. Marty thinks that the problem is that most of our public officials have no business experience. Even people like our governor, who have business experience, tend to be Wall Street executives who don’t know what its like to try to make a payroll or navigate the complicated regulations and red tape in a state like New Jersey.
- When Martin Weber is elected to New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District this fall he will make small business a priority. He will work to create policies that will make operating in New Jersey easier. He will carefully review the State of New Jersey’s small business policies to see where they make sense and where there can be improved. He will be a strong advocate for the business people of New Jersey and will return the entrepreneurial spirit, which used to be a hallmark of our great state and he will work to help reduce the compliance and regulatory overhead which is stifling small businesses everywhere.
- Martin Weber is also committed to reforming health care in a way that helps small business instead of imposing even more burdens. Please join Martin in his mission to return New Jersey to greatness.
- Prioritizing NJ 1st Responders
- May 7, 2020
- Martin Weber believes that we should place more value on our NJ First Responders. This includes the full range of emergency service personnel including but not limited to state and local police forces and their support people, emergency operators, fire, EMS, nurses doctors and the everyone else who cares for the citizens of New Jersey.
- Marty initiation to serving his fellow citizens came when he served our country in the U.S. Army after he left high school. When he returned from his tour of duty, this sense of obligation strengthened and he eventually became an NJ 1st Responder.
- For many years Marty was the Captain of the Barnegat, New Jersey First Aid Squad where he assisted in countless emergency situations. It was through these situations that Marty became aware of the many hazards that New Jersey residents face on our roads, at home and in work situatMartin Weber Captain Barnegat First Aid Squad Rescueions.
- In the photo at right, Marty Weber can be seen as part of the first responder team at a Crash in south Jersey. It was witnessing terrible accidents in South Jersey that motivated Martin to campaign tirelessly for safer roads in New Jersey. It is this very passion for the people of our state and NJ First Responders that will make Martin Weber the most effective Congressional Representative that this state has ever had.
- Martin Weber – From The Heart…For The People!
- Click Here to learn more about Marty and his views.
- May 7, 2020
- Martin Weber is proud of his military service. He served in the army beginning in 1984 and began his service as a enlisted soldier assigned to the 70th transportation company in Geissen, Germany. It was officially West Germany at the time since the eastern half of the country was still under communist control.
- Martin’s unit, the 106th Transportation Battalion in the 37th Transportation Group, was part of the larger 4th Transportation Command, which was headquartered at Camp King, in Oberursel, near Frankfurt. Although he served during the height of the Cold War, Martin got a lot of satisfaction out of serving his country and also learned to appreciate the culture and people of Germany and the other areas where he was stationed.
- Martin valued his time in the U.S. Army and his military service and thinks that it is an experience that can benefit many young people. Martin’s experience in the Army had a great influence on his life and his subsequent experiences with the Veterans Administration health services. He is a passionate advocate for our men and women in the armed services and believes that they should have the very best care when it comes to their health. As Martin says, “Our service men and women put their lives on the line for our nation every day. The least we can do is be their as a nation when they need us most”.
- April 20, 2020
- Veterans health is one of the issues that Martin Weber is most passionate about.
- During his time serving our nation in the U.S. Army, Martin Weber gained a profound respect for our men and women in uniform. He also got to witness some of the weaknesses of the Veteran’s Administration handling health care issues first-hand.
- It wasn’t until someone very close to him died that the issue really hit home for Martin. Martin’s friend, who was also a former service member, ended up dying and, in Martin’s view, the Veteran’s Health Administration did not do enough.
- Martin believes that those of us who serve our country deserve the best medical care possible. That is why reforming the Veteran’s Health Administration system will be a top priority for him when he is elected to represent New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional district this fall.
- When Martin gets to congress, he will work to introduce and pass the “Jeff Act” to help our nation’s Veterans.
- Martin is keenly aware of and focused on the full range of veterans health issues. This includes the life-changing injuries that our soldiers, sailors, air crews and support personnel endure in our nations current conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq. It also means that we need to do more for the brave men and women who served in all the conflicts before those including WWII, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, Panama, The Balkans and anywhere else our people have been injured or suffered exposure to dangerous materials.
- Please join Martin in fighting for the rights of those who gave us everything!
- Click here to learn about Martin Weber’s other policy positions.
- April 20, 2020
- New Jersey is an important and complex state. It has many diverse constituencies with different needs. No one knows this better than Martin Weber. Martin was born in South Jersey, he was raised in South Jersey and he started a successful business in South Jersey. He has committed his life to the state that he loves and the people who live there.
- There is no doubt that this is a very special state. The top half of the state has a completely different identity than the bottom half with many local variations in between. What this means is that a “one size fits all” approach to the policy issues that matter most won’t work in our complex state.
- Martin Weber understands the needs of New Jersey, especially the 3rd Congressional District where he is running for office in 2020. When he is elected this fall, Martin will make sure that the voices of the people in his district will be heard in a Washington D.C. that is increasingly remote from the citizens of this country and which seems to prioritize the needs of the powerful over the common person.
- Martin pledges to be more available and more accountable than the other people who have represented the 3rd District in the past. By listening to the true needs of the people, Martin will work hard to ensure a better life for the people of New Jersey and everyone in our nation.
- Click Here to learn more about Martin’s background and what motivates him to seek change for the citizens of New Jersey.
- April 20, 2020
- Like many of his friends and neighbors in southern New Jersey, Martin Weber is an avid outdoorsman. He has been hunting and fishing in the beautiful and bountiful coastal areas and pine barrens that he has called his home for all of his life. In fact, Martin proudly calls himself a “Piney” and feels a kinship with anyone who goes by the same.
- As a lifelong Piney, Martin knows how important the great natural spaces of New Jersey are to all its citizens and especially to the people of the 3rd Congressional District, who he hopes to represent after this coming fall election. Martin wants to make sure that the forests, beaches, streams and fields remain a resource for the people of New Jersey for generations to come and is committed to preserving open spaces for responsible hunting, fishing and trapping.
- Martin believes that the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife is one of the state agencies that delivers on its mission for the people. The money that is collected from licenses and other fees is fed directly into programs that stock fish and improve habitat for all of New Jersey’s wildlife. ” I love it when a state agency actually delivers on its promises to the people. That’s what I am going to do for the people of New Jersey when I get to Washington this fall” says Martin.
- Martin Weber also wants to make sure that people who want to enjoy the great outdoors for its own sake are able to experience our wild areas on their own terms.
- Click Here to learn more about Martin Weber’s vision for New Jersery
- April 20, 2020
- New Jersey health care is one of the issues that Martin Weber is most passionate about. He recently witnessed the failures of the New Jersey health care system first-hand when his close friend died because of a failure to receive the care that he needed from the Veteran’s Health Administration. This tragedy had a deep and lasting impact on Martin and he has since vowed to reform and transform our health care system when he is elected to represent New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional district this fall.
- Because of his military service and the death of his friend, Marty has a particular focus on veteran’s health issues. However, as he learned more about health care in general, he gained a strong appreciation for the challenges that everyone in New Jersey faces when it comes to getting care. The recent COVID-19 pandemic is another instance which demonstrates the need for stronger action by the state and federal governments when it comes to caring for the health of its citizens.
- We need a more flexible and affordable health care system that is responsive to the needs of all of the citizens of our state. This system and the various service providers, ranging from doctors, nursed and hospitals to insurance companies and government agencies needs to be reformed in a meaningful way.
- With a focus on New Jersey Health Care, Martin Weber will work tirelessly in Washington, DC to improve health outcomes.
- April 20, 2020
- As most people in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District know, the opioid crisis isn’t something that is happening in another place, it is happening right here in our South Jersey communities. It is affecting our friends and neighbors, our co-workers and yes, even our family members. It is truly a crisis and we need to do more to address it.
- Martin Weber realizes that our opioid crises is a public health emergency that requires a more robust response from our government and health care officials. The problem has many causes and we will need innovative thinking on how to combat it and its devastating impact on our communities. So far the efforts by our public officials have fallen short in their efforts to find a solution to our drug crises. When Martin wins our Congressional seat this fall, one of the first things he will do will be to form a task force to explore new and innovative ways to combat this difficult issue.
- Martin is already in discussions with a range of experts in the field to learn what they think are the best and most effective ways to combat dependency on opioids, as well as alcohol and other drugs and substances that are impacting our communities. This includes doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, insurance executives and other health care experts. He is also meeting with civic leaders and the citizens of South Jersey to learn their perspectives and to gain an appreciation for what is working and what is not. The conversations he is having are both illuminating and heart breaking but Martin is no stranger to the shortfalls of our health care systems. A major portion of his platform will involve addressing our health care issues using a wide range of options.
- Martin Weber is confident that his office will be able to provide new approaches and a much needed energy in working with all of the communities in the 3rd Congressional District in addressing our opioid crisis.
- April 15, 2020
- 2nd Amendment issues are a perennial hot button issue in our political discourse. Martin Weber believes that there is a middle ground that we can take as a nation that will keep our people safe while preserving the right to bear and use firearms responsibly.
- As a lifelong sportsman who is an active hunter and fisherman in New Jersey’s great open spaces, Martin believes that it is the right of responsible citizens to own and use guns. However, responsible gun ownership is not something that just automatically happens. Gun safety needs to be taught and New Jersey’s Hunter Education Program is a good example of government providing the training a support that makes for responsible handling and ownership of firearms.
- Martin thinks that every responsible gun owner should take a course like the New Jersey Hunter Education Program. It requires applicants to study hunting safety and firearms use and the program is concluded with a written test and a live fire exercise where new hunters, under the supervision of a certified instructor, fire a range of weapons. It is this kind of basic program that could provide prospective gun owners with the knowledge and experience they need to be a responsible firearms enthusiast.
- Martin’s view on the 2nd Amendment are as follows:
- It is essential that law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights be protected in Congress.
- The vast majority of gun-owning residents of the 3rd District practice responsible gun ownership. Many residents in the Pine Barrens utilize their 2nd Amendment rights for hunting and sport.
- Martin Weber acknowledges and agrees that we need to maintain sensible safeguards and background checks to ensure that we keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who should not have them.
- There are many “liberal” forces in Congress who are attempting to take away the fundamental meaning and spirit of the 2nd Amendment. As an elected member of Congress, Martin Weber will fight to maintain the liberty that has been with our citizens since the beginning of the Republic.
- Weber invites people to join the Second Amendment Rally on August 22, 2020 from 11-4 at 290 Route 72 in Barnegat where he will be a speaker along with other Congressional candidates and others.
[25]
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| —Martin Weber's 2020 campaign website[28]
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District represented by a Democrat in 2020 and won by Donald Trump in 2016
- See also: U.S. House districts represented by a Democrat in 2020 and won by Donald Trump in 2016
This district was one of 30 Democratic-held U.S. House districts up in 2020 that Donald Trump (R) won in the 2016 presidential election. Most were expected to be among the House's most competitive elections in 2020.
Click here to see the five U.S. House districts represented by a Republican in 2020 and won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
Two of 21 New Jersey counties—9.5 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won New Jersey with 55.5 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 41.4 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, New Jersey voted Democratic 46.67 percent of the time and Republican 53.33 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, New Jersey voted Democratic all five times.
Ballot access requirements
The table below details filing requirements for 3rd Congressional District candidates in New Jersey in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in New Jersey, click here.
| Filing requirements, 2020
|
| State
|
Office
|
Party
|
Signatures required
|
Signature formula
|
Filing fee
|
Filing fee formula
|
Filing deadline
|
Source
|
| New Jersey |
3rd Congressional District |
Qualified party |
200 |
Fixed number |
N/A |
N/A |
3/30/2020 |
Source
|
| New Jersey |
3rd Congressional District |
Unaffiliated |
100 |
Fixed number |
N/A |
N/A |
7/7/2020 |
Source
|
District election history
2018
- See also: New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District election, 2018
General election
Democratic primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
2016
- See also: New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District election, 2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Tom MacArthur (R) defeated Frederick John Lavergne (D) and Lawrence Berlinski Jr. (Constitution Party) in the general election on November 8, 2016. MacArthur faced no challenger in the Republican primary, while Lavergne defeated Jim Keady in the Democratic primary. The primary elections took place on June 7, 2016. MacArthur won re-election in the November 8 election.[29][30][31]
U.S. House, New Jersey District 3 General Election, 2016
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Republican |
 Tom MacArthur Incumbent |
59.3% |
194,596 |
| |
Democratic |
Frederick John Lavergne |
38.9% |
127,526 |
| |
Constitution |
Lawrence Berlinski Jr. |
1.8% |
5,938 |
| Total Votes |
328,060 |
| Source: New Jersey Division of Elections |
U.S. House, New Jersey District 3 Democratic Primary, 2016
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
|
Frederick Lavergne |
62.8% |
32,963 |
| Jim Keady |
37.2% |
19,526 |
| Total Votes |
52,489 |
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections
|
2014
- See also: New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District elections, 2014
U.S. House, New Jersey District 3 General Election, 2014
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Republican |
Tom MacArthur |
54% |
100,471 |
| |
Democratic |
Aimee Belgard |
44.4% |
82,537 |
| |
Democratic-Republican |
Frederick John LaVergne |
1.7% |
3,095 |
| Total Votes |
186,103 |
| Source: New Jersey Division of Elections |
State profile
- See also: New Jersey and New Jersey elections, 2020
Partisan data
The information in this section was current as of July 3, 2020.
Presidential voting pattern
Congressional delegation
- Following the 2019 elections, both U.S. senators from New Jersey were Democrats.
- 11 of New Jersey's 12 U.S. representatives were Democrats and one was a Republican. On December 19, 2019, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, then a Democrat, announced he was switching his party affiliation to Republican, changing the partisan makeup of New Jersey's House delegation to 10 Democrats and two Republicans.
State executives
State legislature
New Jersey Party Control: 1992-2025
Fourteen years of Democratic trifectas • Eight years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year
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92
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| Senate |
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| Assembly |
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New Jersey quick stats
|
More New Jersey coverage on Ballotpedia:
|
| Demographic data for New Jersey |
|---|
| | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|
| Total population: | 8,935,421 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 7,354 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** |
|---|
| White: | 68.3% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 13.5% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 9% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 19% | 17.1% |
| Education |
|---|
| High school graduation rate: | 88.6% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 36.8% | 29.8% |
| Income |
|---|
| Median household income: | $72,093 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 12.7% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New Jersey.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
See also
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Daily Kos, ""Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2016, 2012, and 2008,"" accessed June 24, 2020
- ↑ New Jersey Redistricting Map, "Map," accessed September 25, 2012
- ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Andy Kim deserves a second term representing NJ’s 3rd District in Congress," Oct. 16, 2020
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Star-Ledger, "What sober leadership looks like: Andy Kim for Congress," October 4, 2020
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 New Jersey Globe, "Trump endorses Richter in NJ-3," Sept. 22, 2020
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Medium, "First Wave of 2020 Endorsements," Aug. 3, 2020
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 InsiderNJ, "Former CD3 Congressman Tom MacArthur Endorses David Richter for Congress," Aug. 3, 2020
- ↑ David Richter's 2020 campaign website, "Richter Endorsements," accessed Nov. 2, 2020
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 New Jersey Globe, "Andy Kim endorsed by Laborers Union, which backed his opponent in 2018," July 16, 2020
- ↑ The New Jersey Laborers Union endorsed Kim's Republican opponent, Rep. Tom MacArthur, in the 2018 general election.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 New Jersey Globe, "NJ State Building & Construction Trades drops Van Drew, endorses Kennedy in NJ-2," July 28, 2020
- ↑ The New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council endorsed Kim's Republican opponent, Rep. Tom MacArthur, in the 2018 general election.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 CNN, "Pro-business Chamber of Commerce is backing 23 vulnerable House Democratic freshmen for reelection," Sept. 1, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Dave Wasserman," Nov. 2, 2020
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Facebook, "New Jersey Globe," Oct. 1, 2020
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Andy Kim's 2020 campaign website, “Our Fight,” accessed Sept. 15, 2020
- ↑ David Richter's 2020 campaign website, “Issues,” accessed Sept. 15, 2020
- ↑ Martin Weber's 2020 campaign website, “Policies,” accessed Sept. 15, 2020
- ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, "Candidates for House of Representatives for Primary Election 6/7/2016," accessed April 5, 2016
- ↑ New Jersey Secretary of State, "Candidates for House of Representatives," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "New Jersey House 03 Results," November 8, 2016
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