Indian American Hirsh Singh announces congressional run from New Jersey

He had finished third in the Republican gubernatorial primary last year.

Indian American businessman Hirsh Singh, who ran for the New Jersey governor last year, has announced his candidacy for the state’s open 2nd Congressional District.

Singh, a Republican, has pledged to defend President Donald Trump’s agenda, while making the announcement on Tuesday.

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Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who has been representing the South Jersey district since 1992unexpectedly announced his retirement on Election Day after serving 24 years in Congress.

READ: List of Indian Americans running for Congress in 2018

Trump carried the district in the last presidential election by more than 3 percentage points—only the second time a Republican won the district in the past seven presidential elections.

“South Jersey deserves a conservative champion in Congress – someone who will defend the President’s agenda, fight to bring our fair share of tax dollars back to South Jersey, and stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the radical left,” said he said. “The president’s agenda of slashing regulations, cutting taxes, and returning decision-making to state and local governments is working to grow the economy and must be supported.”

Singh, who has the support of the district’s county GOP chairmen, faces a crowded GOP primary. Other candidates include former Atlantic County Freeholder Seth Grossman, Somers Point City Councilman James Toto, former FBI agent Robert Turkavage, defense and aerospace contractor Brian Fitzerhert and activist Mark McGovern.

READ: Indian American Hirsh Vardhan Singh enters New Jersey GOP gubernatorial race (March 29, 2017)

Last year, Singh had finished third in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

He has also pledged to challenge House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), if elected to Congress.

Singh holds a degree in engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He has worked with several top government organizations such as NASA, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Pentagon, and the United States military.

“In the coming weeks, I look forward to meeting with the residents of the 2nd Congressional District, listening to their concerns and sharing my vision for a stronger and more prosperous South Jersey,” he said in a statement. “We need a new voice in Washington who will fight for all of the residents of South Jersey.”