Toms River Councilman to Run For Congress

Toms River Township Councilman Maurice "Mo" Hill announced Tuesday night that he will campaign to represent New Jersey's third district in the United States Congress.

Hill, a Republican who has served on the Toms River council since 2003, tested the waters on a congressional bid in 2010, but ultimately Jon Runyan – who hails from the far western portion of the district in Burlington County – was supported by the Republican organizations throughout the district.

Runyan defeated Democrat John Adler that year and, in 2012, defeated Adler's widow, Shelley Adler.

But between Runyan's announcement that he would not seek a third term in Washington and the anchoring of Ocean County as New Jersey's strongest Republican territory, Hill, 66, a dentist who is also a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, sees an opportunity to reach a goal he had set for himself.

"I’m hoping that, much like last time, the candidates will be evaluated based on the abilities that they have and the skills that they have, and we’ll come to consensus between Burlington and Ocean counties on the Republican side as to who is the best candidate," said Hill. "I'll be honest, I think I'm the best candidate."

Hill said he would bring to the table a combination of military service, running a business and being a provider of healthcare – all areas that tie into the biggest issues facing the nation as a whole.

"I think with my military background and my background in the healthcare field, I’ll be able to represent this district in D.C.," Hill said.

The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is "broken," said Hill, and needs to be fixed.

"Your healthcare decisions should be made by you and your private practitioner, your doctor," he said. "It’s a very personal decision, and the government has no business telling you, ‘you have to have this plan, you have to have this type of coverage.’"

Hill won the immediate backing of several of his colleagues on the Toms River council. He announced his congressional candidacy at the end of the township's meeting.

"I think he has a great shot at it," said Council President George Wittmann. "I think he’ll be good for this community, and to the best of my knowledge he’ll be the first congressman from Ocean County in 100 years."