TOMS RIVER- David Richter won  a round tonight in what promises to be an acrimonious  fight for the GOP congressional nomination in the third district (CD3).

Richter defeated Kate Gibbs by a vote of 68 to 60 to win the endorsement of the Ocean County Republican Committee. The vote was in contrast to the party’s screening committee, which had endorsed Gibbs.

The run up to tonight’s convention vote featured a video by Richter focusing on some of Gibbs’ past indiscretions, including public intoxication and shoplifting.

Gibbs has the line in the Burlington County portion of CD3.

The winner of the primary will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3).

“I am incredibly grateful to the members of the Ocean County Republican Organization and those who participated in the election tonight,” Richter said in a statement following his victory.

“There is not a more valuable endorsement anywhere in the state than the Ocean County line, so tonight’s support provides huge momentum to our campaign. This endorsement affirms why I entered the race in the first place: our party needs a conservative outsider who will go to Washington and work with President Trump to keep our nation moving forward,” he added. “I promise that I will continue through this campaign with the same hard work and motivation, and I will always make the citizens of the Third District proud. I look forward to a decisive victory in June thanks in no small part to the support of my friends in Ocean County.”