David Richter

Richter was born in Middletown, Connecticut. He earned his B.S. in management, his B.S.E. in civil engineering, and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. He obtained his M.Sc. in major program management from the University of Oxford in 2015 and his M.P.A. from Harvard University in 2019. Richter is a member of the bars of New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. Supreme Court.[1]

Richter began his career in 1992 practicing law at the New York City office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. In 1995, he returned to South Jersey to join Hill International. Over his 22-year career at Hill, Richter rose from general counsel to group president to chief operating officer and eventually to chief executive officer. During that time, Hill grew from a private firm with less than 300 employees to a global public company with more than 4,300 employees.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased May 14, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Richter is the former CEO of global construction management firm Hill International. During his time at the company, Hill grew from a struggling family business with less than 300 employees into a successful public company with more than 4,300 employees. A lifelong Republican, Richter grew up in and has spent most of his life living and working in the Third District. He earned two bachelor's degrees and a law degree from Penn as well as master's degrees from Oxford and Harvard. Richter and his wife Michelle, who have been married for 20 years, are the parents of four daughters.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Rebuild the economy and create jobs.Cut wasteful government spending.Cut taxes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a fiscal conservative who believes that our federal government is on an unsustainable path. Our national debt is now over $25 trillion and growing rapidly. We need to make sure that we have pro-growth economic policies in Congress and that means we need to cut taxes and cut wasteful spending. Especially right now, we need to rebuild our economy and create jobs.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My political hero growing up was Jack Kemp. I hope to achieve as much success in Congress as he did.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Too many to pick just one.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ethics, integrity, independence, judgment, responsibility and accountability.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

High level of ethics, integrity and judgment and dedication to conservative principles.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Independence of thought and willingness to fight for their principles.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To be a role model to my four daughters.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Richard Nixon's resignation. I was 7 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Draftsman for an engineering firm. Summer job in high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Last Lion, a three-volume biography of Winston Churchill, by William Manchester. Because Churchill was probably the most consequential individual in all of history.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Steve Rogers.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The entire Hamilton soundtrack.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Life is one long struggle, but overcoming the challenges we face is what life is all about.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

A fair and bipartisan one that avoids gerrymandering.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the house of Congress where taxing and spending bills originate and as a fiscal conservative that is where I can have the greatest impact.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, exactly the opposite. We don't need more career politicians. We need to return to the Founders' original intent of citizen-statesmen.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Ensuring that the economy recovers and we create jobs for people that need them. We also need to fight off the growing calls for socialism and anarchy from the left.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I have an interest in possibly serving on Financial Services, Transportation & Infrastructure, or Armed Services.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, that was by design so that representatives would be the most accountable to the people.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Very much in favor. I have pledged to support term limits on members of Congress.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Too early to worry about that.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Jack Kemp.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Too many to pick just one.

[the profile publisher] biographical submission form

The candidate completed [the profile publisher]'s biographical information submission form:

What is your political philosophy?

David is a conservative Republican who will work hard for smaller government, lower taxes and secure borders, and who will fight to protect Americans' constitutional rights.[2]

—David Richter[1]

Campaign website

Richter's campaign website stated the following:

CUT WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT SPENDING

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government will continue to spend more than it takes in over the next ten years, adding another $9 trillion to the national debt, which already stands at $22 trillion. This is a ticking time bomb for our economy, and career politicians in both parties who continue to ignore this problem are to blame. As your next Congressman, David will use his private-sector experience to streamline the federal bureaucracy and promote spending reforms that rein in the size and cost of government in order to balance the federal budget.

REBUILD THE ECONOMY, CUT TAXES & STRENGTHEN SMALL BUSINESSES

President Trump’s tax cuts were a good start and helped to spur economic growth, but more needs to be done to help South Jersey taxpayers under constant attack by Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats. In Congress, David will fight to lift the state-and-local-tax (SALT) deduction cap and further cut individual marginal tax rates. He will also press for additional reforms that incentivize entrepreneurship, help small and family-owned businesses grow, and ensure that America’s economy is built for success in the 21st century and beyond. David has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Business and Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC).

SECURE OUR BORDERS AND REFORM IMMIGRATION POLICY

Our immigration system is clearly broken, there is a crisis on our southern border, and liberal Democrats in Washington and Trenton are recklessly putting the rights of illegal immigrants ahead of both our own citizens and those seeking to become U.S. citizens lawfully. In Congress, David will oppose across-the-board amnesty, seek to ban so-called sanctuary cities and states, support construction of a wall along the border with Mexico, and increase funding for both the hiring of more border agents and the tools they need to secure our borders and keep Americans safe.

DEFEND THE SECOND AMENDMENT

David will be an ardent defender of the U.S. Constitution, including our Second Amendment rights, and will fight back against liberals who want to further infringe upon our constitutional freedoms. In Congress, David will support conceal-carry and work with President Trump to streamline the background check system to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, while ensuring that law-abiding citizens can continue to purchase firearms for hunting, sport, collection and self-defense. David has been endorsed by both the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America.

INVEST IN OUR NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE

As a civil engineer with more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, David knows how to get things built. His former company helped to build schools, hospitals, museums and courthouses. It managed the construction of airports, highways, rail and other infrastructure projects. And it oversaw development of renewable energy projects to help keep our environment as clean as possible. In Congress, he will work with President Trump and be a leader in the effort to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill that invests in America in order to improve our competitiveness and create millions of new jobs. He will also fight to bring federal transportation dollars back to South Jersey.

SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT

As the father of four daughters, David knows it is imperative that each generation leaves behind a world that is better than the one they inherited. That includes making sure the air we breathe and the water we drink is clean and safe. David supports President Trump’s withdrawal from the non-binding Paris climate accord, which put America, its taxpayers, and our economy at a disadvantage with countries around the world. At the same time, David believes more must be done to reverse rising sea levels that potentially threaten South Jersey’s coastal counties and towns, and that we must take a strong stand against drilling off the eastern seaboard, where an oil spill could devastate local economies, especially our recreational and commercial fishing communities.

LOWER THE COST & IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE

Many of the Democrats who ran for president over the past year, as well as many in Congress, are pushing for unaffordable new healthcare programs that would cost tens of billions of dollars. These programs would force private insurance companies into bankruptcy, destroying millions of jobs in the process. In Congress, David will fight against socialized medicine and work to promote market-based reforms that drive down the cost of medical care and prescription drugs while maintaining the high levels of quality that Americans have come to rely upon for their healthcare.

PROTECT OUR SENIORS AND STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

A recent government report said that the cost of Social Security will exceed its income in 2020 for the first time since 1982. On top of that, Medicare’s hospital insurance fund is projected to be depleted in less than seven years, likely leading to more financial burdens on our seniors. This is unacceptable. In Congress, David will work with members in both parties to ensure that our government keeps its promises to our seniors and strengthens both Social Security and Medicare now and for the future. The most prosperous country in the world must have a stable and secure safety net for its senior citizens.

SUPPORT OUR MILITARY, OUR VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES

In Congress, David will be a tireless advocate for our nation’s men and women in uniform, past and present, and their families, all of whom have sacrificed so much for our freedom and security. That means supporting increased funding for our national defense and reforming the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) healthcare system to ensure that each and every person who has served in this country’s military has ready access to the very best medical care we can provide. David will also proudly champion our military installations, such as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Loran Support Unit and Training Center Cape May, as well as the Civil Air Patrol.

DEFEND, DON’T DEFUND, OUR POLICE

Radical Progressives in Washington want to defund our law enforcement and put our communities at risk. David has always supported our law enforcement community and will stand beside our men and women in blue to keep our communities safe. David has been endorsed by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA).

FIGHT FOR SOUTH JERSEY’S FARMERS

David intends to make sure that New Jersey remains the Garden State. From blueberries and cranberries to corn and tomatoes, the South Jersey agricultural industry produces some of the best farm products in the world. But our region’s growers face myriad regulations that reduce their profits while providing minimal public benefit. In Congress, David will push for regulatory reform and fight for trade legislation that benefits, not handicaps, South Jersey’s family farms and agricultural businesses.

STRENGTHEN THE U.S.-ISRAEL ALLIANCE

Israel has been and always will be a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. Without Israel, the forces of radicalism could rage unchecked throughout the region. Israel is the beacon of democracy, hope, and stability in a region of the world that for decades has presented America with one of its most concerning geo-political challenges. As someone who is proud of his Jewish heritage, I look forward to being an outspoken leader in Congress in promoting and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. David has been endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC).

For more information about David’s position on the disastrous Iran deal, click here.

SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS

Politics should not be a career. We should return to the vision of our founding fathers of a government led by its citizens. I have signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge and as a member of Congress I will co-sponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment establishing term limits for members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

[2]

—David Richter's 2020 campaign website[3]

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