The Burlington County Times endorsed Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) in an editorial on Sunday, contending that MacArthur has the “guts” to represent New Jersey’s “difficult and demanding” Third Congressional District.
The Burlington County Times decided to endorse Congressman MacArthur in an op-ed on Sunday because he has been able to strike the delicate balance of representing the conservative Ocean County and the liberal Burlington County in New Jersey’s third district.
MacArthur faces a competitive race with Democrat Andy Kim, and analysts have listed MacArthur’s congressional races as one of the most crucial races Republicans need to win to hold their majority in the House of Representatives.
The local newspaper also commended the New Jersey Republican for pushing Obamacare repeal and tax reform even though his lobbying for those issues may “prove his undoing.”
The Times notes that under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, “81 percent of New Jerseyans will receive a much-needed tax cut” and that MacArthur helped raise the threshold for the state and local tax deduction, which might lighten the impact on wealthier New Jerseyans.
Rep. MacArthur, who was then the co-chairman of the moderate House Tuesday Group, worked with House Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) to revive Obamacare repeal in the House by adding the ability for states to apply for waivers to offer more affordable plans through what is called the “MacArthur Amendment.”
MacArthur contended that Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent federal waiver allowing New Jersey to create a reinsurance program was part of his intent to allow states to craft their own plans to offer more affordable health insurance plans and lower health premiums.
The Times highlights the several times MacArthur has worked to improve his district, which included:
- Supported Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and helped secure a squadron of new KC-46 tankers, which boosts jobs in the district.
- Co-sponsored nearly a dozen bills to support veterans.
- Served as the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic and helped obtain approval for $4 billion in funding to address the opioid crisis.
- Sponsored legislation that would qualify the Deborah Heart & Lung Center for millions more in Medicare reimbursements.
MacArthur faces a competitive race against Democrat Kim; however, a recent poll found that MacArthur leads Kim by a slim margin. A Stockton University poll found that MacArthur has 46.8 percent support, while the Democrat has 45.4 percent of the vote.
The Burlington County Times concluded in their editorial that MacArthur has the “guts” to represent New Jersey’s third district.
“It is a vote for Tom MacArthur, who has represented a difficult and demanding district with dignity and determination,” the Times wrote. “It takes guts, which is why we endorse him, again, for Congress.”