Justin Murphy for Congress, CCGOP candidates for Cherry Hill

After screening congressional candidates Jon Runyan and Joseph Rullo for the GOP nomination to take on Rep. John Adler (D-NJ) in November, needless to say it took me a while to carefully think about who I should support in the Republican primary on June 8. After full consideration of both candidates, I have opted not to endorse either Runyan nor Rullo. I was looking for a candidate who represents the true conservative ideas which I stand for: pro-life, pro-2nd amendment, an advocate for small government, and one who wants to abolish unnecessary agencies and will work to faze out the IRS and Federal Reserve.

I have found that candidate in Justin Murphy.

Justin Murphy, a Catholic and former Congressional candidate in 2008, is a Reagan Republican in its truest form. Murphy opposes abortion, supports traditional marriage, and favors our second amendment rights. Furthermore, Murphy is strongly anti-IRS and supports a 15% flat tax and supports offshore drilling (including off the shores of New Jersey) which will reduce our dependence on terrorist-sponsored countries for oil.

Unnfortunately, while I believe that Jon Runyan, the endorsed candidate of the CCGOP and CHRO, sincerely cares for the people of the 3rd congressional district, I am not completely satisfied with his positions and one which concerns me dearly. Runyan, while claiming to be a fiscal conservative, has provided no tax-overhaul plan. Furthermore, Runyan has described himself as "pro-choice on abortion with a lot of restrictions". As an unshakable defender of life, I cannot endorse someone who is pro-abortion, knowing that there is another candidate available that is pro-life. While I respect the decision of the CCGOP and the CHRO to endorse Jon, I likewise respectfully dissent and support my personal decision.

Of course, there is a catch: under Justin's column in Cherry Hill are the "We the People Republicans". This is a group of disenchanted Republicans who are opposed to the current leadership of the Cherry Hill Republicans and the CCGOP in general. Unfortunately, this is not a group based on ideology, rather, an example of infighting over leadership. While the "We the People Republicans" sound like a conservative group, not all of the candidates are conservatives. In fact, while the "We the People Republicans" are running under an anti-establishment Republican, one candidate insisted that the county party pour money into the CHRO campaign when he ran for council.

Anti-establishment? I think not

Let me be brief and say that under the current chairman, Rich Ambrosino, and the CCGOP chairman, Rick DeMichele, the CHRO has gotten closer to beating the Democrats than any other time in recent history. The candidates that he vetted, approved, and run to win, are the same ones who are now running against the party.

I am running for a position in the Cherry Hill Republican Organization this June, and I urge the voters of Cherry Hill to support myself and the rest of the CHRO candidates which include my good friend and strong pro-lifer Scot DeCristofaro for freeholder. You know that I am not an establishment pet, my endorsement of Justin Murphy proves that. At the same time however, I'm not willing to give up on Rich, Rick, and the rest of the county party. We made great strides last year with the elections of Asm. Dom DiCicco (R) and Oaklyn councilmen Mike Ritchie and Shawn McLean and came within 504 votes of picking up a seat in Cherry Hill. While I agree with grassroots, I think that at this time we should give the CCGOP one last chance to prove that they are capable of gaining seats across Camden County. If they fail this time, then it will certainly be time for change, and yes, even complete distrust.

So in conclusion, I have chosen to endorse Justin Murphy for Congress on his column and the rest of the candidates are on Column 1, including myself for CHRO member and George Zallie, Scot DeCristofaro, and Chris Leone-Zwillinger for freeholder.