Sobocinski is first Republican to enter race against Kim in NJ-3

Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) has drawn his first Republican opponent of the 2024 cycle: Greg Sobocinski, a Southampton businessman who ran as an independent candidate against Kim last year in the 3rd congressional district.

“I have lived, raised my family and voted in the 3rd district for nearly 35 years, almost as long as the current representative has been alive,” Sobocinski said in a statement. “When elected, I will take my oath of office to protect and defend this nation seriously. I will do everything in my power to protect our nation’s borders and our sovereignty and to stop massive unlawful immigration on our southern border with all the problems that come with it: fentanyl, human trafficking, and crime.”

In his 2022 independent congressional campaign, Sobocinski argued that both Kim and his Republican opponent, Bob Healey, were too liberal, and that only he would provide true conservative representation to the 3rd district. Sobocinski ultimately earned 1,116 votes, or 0.4%, as Kim was beating Healey 55%-44%.

This time, Sobocinski is trying again as a Republican. He filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on June 22, and reported raising $410 by the June 30 second quarter deadline.

GOP organizations in the 3rd district are unlikely to throw their support behind Sobocinski, especially given that he spent last cycle trashing their chosen candidate. But with Kim looking secure for a fourth term in his Democratic-leaning district, the field of candidates willing to take him on may be shallower than Republicans would like.