Kate Gibbs, Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s Third Congressional District, released the following statement Monday morning:

“Anyone who thinks they can push me around doesn’t know anything about South Jersey women. I was raised by a single mom who taught me how to stand up for myself and never back down from a challenge.  To our party leaders who like to talk about empowering and supporting young Republican women to run and serve, well, here I am.

“The ball is in your court.  I’ve worked at the grassroots level for years to elect Republicans in South Jersey, was the youngest elected Freeholder Director in the state, cut taxes every year I was in office, and am proud to be a leader for the state building trades,” the Republican candidate added. “I’m not stepping aside for anybody.  Especially not a seat shopper who apparently believes he’s entitled to party support — somewhere, anywhere.  My motivation for running isn’t to wear a pin and get a title; I am running to serve the people of Burlington and Ocean Counties and I intend to win.”

Gibbs made her statement against the backdrop of self-funding businessman David Richter appearing poised to quit his CD2 bid and may instead pursue the GOP nomination against incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3).

Richter told InsiderNJ to expect a formal announcement regarding his intentions sometime today, Monday; amid expectations of a CD3 launch.

“Precedent’s left the barn; why wouldn’t he? He wants this badly,” said a GOP source. “Richter has a deep history here; you know that he grew up in Willingboro (escaped to the Ivies).”

President Donald Trump’s backing of party-switching CD2 incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2) proved too strong an obstacle for the other Republican challengers, with the exception of movement conservative Bob Patterson, who remains.

While Richter and Brian Fitzherbert presumably shrank out off the contest, Patterson last week reinvigorated his assault on the incumbent, who last month changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican under the auspices of the president.

Watching for Richter to jump into CD3, former state Senator Diane Allen (R-7) and other Gibbs allies issued a statement reaffirming their support for the labor-friendly Republican candidate from BurlCo already in the contest.