Richter tweet slammed as misogynistic by GOP women

A controversial, now-deleted tweet by Republican congressional candidate David Richter alleging that rival Kate Gibbs is being held in a box by her male handlers has led to allegations of misogyny.

“I hope you punched some holes in the box where you are hiding Kate.  I would hate for her to suffocate,” Richter tweeted on Friday to Gibbs’ campaign manager, Angelo Lamberto.

Richter had attacked Gibbs earlier that day on her refusal to debate him, a charge Gibbs refuted.

Now the two most influential women in South Jersey GOP politics are strongly criticizing Richter.

Former State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park ) and Assemblywoman Jean Stanfield (R-Westampton) called Richter’s tweet “disturbing imagery of violence towards Kate Gibbs.”

“David crossed a line and owes Kate and all women an apology,” they said.  “No woman deserves to be threatened or verbally abused like this.”

Allen and Stanfield said they’ve seen “Richter’s misogynist campaign playbook before.”

They said “repeatedly belittling women by implying they are incapable of thinking for themselves, attacking their competency, and dismissing their credentials” was unacceptable.

Allen and Stanfield allege that Richter has become obsessed with attacking Gibb’s intellect. 

“Kate put herself through college, earned her Master’s Degree in Finance and graduated summa cum laude,” they said.  “No woman should need to present her qualifications simply to be treated with basic respect and dignity.”

Gibbs and Richter are seeking the Republican nod to take on Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) in New Jerseys’ 3rd district.