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 said she is a pro-President Trump Republican.

“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/.

Saying, “2020 is vastly different than 2014, in every district we need candidates not afraid to stand with our President,” Gustafson amonth ago announced she has formed an exploratory committee to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy for Congress in CD1.

“Republicans I’ve talked with don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes,” Gustafson said. “They want a candidate who understands that ‘reproductive rights’ does not mean using abortion as a form of birth control. They want a pro-Second Amendment candidate who isn’t afraid to voice their support for President Trump’s policies. I’m solidly behind our President and don’t believe in pandering, if I run Republicans will get the candidate they want.”

If Gustafson makes the move from exploring a run to being a candidate for Congress she will start off with support from current and past elected officials in Gloucester and Camden Counties.

Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. said, “I met Claire when she ran in 2014 and, frankly, she was a far better choice than the party’s handpicked candidate. If she runs she will have my endorsement and support. I will encourage Gloucester County to award her the line.”

Joe Adolf, a former mayor of Magnolia and Republican in Berlin added, “No doubt, the party got it wrong in 2014. Claire’s got some experience having served on Collingswood’s school board and she’s proved she can run an aggressive campaign. This is a great opportunity for Republicans to right a wrong and run a candidate not afraid to take the fight to Congressman Norcross.”

Former Stratford Councilman John Dudley said, “Without a doubt running in CD1 is going to be tough, we need a candidate up for the challenge. Claire is an experienced campaigner, of the names I’ve heard wanting to run she’s the only one tough enough to take the fight to Norcross. I hope she makes it official and runs.”