A New Jersey gym owner who famously risked jail and financial ruin to remain open during lockdowns is now planning to run for Congress.
Ian Smith, the co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, tweeted that he will be “formally announcing my campaign for Congress” on Thursday.
“I am truly excited to have the possibility to serve the people of NJ with a platform focused on liberty, small government, and America First policies,” he said Sunday.
Smith became an outspoken critic of strict lockdowns early in the pandemic when he and his business partner, Frank Trumbetti, refused to close their gym in defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy’s orders — even kicking down the boarded-up doors.
Despite facing jail as well as mammoth daily fines and mounting legal costs into the millions, the pair remained open, making it an iron mecca and central figure for those fighting lockdowns and mandates.
It is an ongoing fight for the pair, with Smith revealing last week that they yet again did not have “the outcome we wanted” as they were “sentenced to a one-year term of probation” in the latest court hearing.
Smith has insisted that Atilis has never suffered a COVID outbreak, despite never asking ironheads to wear masks.
In his congressional announcement, Smith said he would stand for “people, not politicians.”
“For too long, good people have not gotten involved in politics — whether that is because the establishment won’t open the door for them or they don’t want to participate in the foul world of politics,” he wrote.
“More than anything, this needs to change. And I will be a part of that change.
“Our public officials have forgotten who they work for. Working in politics is about SERVICE, not about profit. It’s not a career, it’s a duty. Together we are going to change the culture of politics,” he vowed.
Smith — who has also been booted off flights for refusing to wear a mask — is challenging two-term Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, a former Obama White House staffer.
The bearded gym owner has hired Steve Kush, the political consultant who masterminded the shocking victory of truck driver Edward Durr over state Senate President Steve Sweeney, according to a New Jersey Globe report that Smith shared in his announcement.
Kush confirmed his involvement to New Jersey 101.5.
“Yes, he’s serious. We have a fundraising consultant on board. I’ll be bringing in a campaign manager next week. It’s serious,” the political
consultant said.
Both local outlets suggested that his opponents may try to use Smith’s 2007 drunk driving crash that killed 19-year-old student Kevin Ade.
Smith, who was 20 and also a student at the time, was sentenced to more than five years in prison for vehicular homicide, the Globe noted.
He has regularly discussed it on his social media accounts, including a video confessional in May 2020 when he said there is “justifiably a great deal of hated and resentment towards me.”
“This is something I’ve been public about my whole life. I’ve never run from it nor would I ever. It’s something I accept full responsibility for,” he said at the time, saying that he did not know he was over the limit while driving after a heavy night of drinking.
“That doesn’t matter, the end results was the same: My actions caused the death of a young man and broke the hearts of an entire community.”
However, he stressed, “There’s nothing that I can do other than try to live a good life and give back.”
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Guaranteed that now the corrupt NJ Democrat-riddled courts and disgusting Democrat AG will try to get prison time for him so he can’t run.
Being primary election is Ian running as a democrat against the incumbent Kim, a democrat?
Just watched this video.. powerful stuff.
SAW.
Selfie Attention Whore.
Government isn’t the solution….getting rid of government is.
No kidding. Government should be limited to serving the peeps only like maintaining roads and public services like police and fire departments etc. This is crap when you read about a former president sitting on $51 M from a PAC.
I’m glad to “revolt” but refuse to follow the lead of the former president. When the TEA party thing came about and suddenly Rick Perry in Texas became part of that I abandoned ship. He was not what I had in mind!
You are giving government too much power. All of that could be handled by private, voluntary exchange.
I agree with the ideology although this would take the millions that go to the polls to stop the process of the “vote”. That said, as much as I regarded Ron Paul’s analysis of government and agreeing with him that at one time people in need were helped by churches etc. , it’s not going to happen. I’ll stop “voting”. How many others will do the same?
I’ve talked with folks that promote drivers of vehicles not being required by “state law” to carry liability insurance. So we are to think the world is full of “honest” people and should someone smash you they will take care of you out of their pocket. Just not going to happen. More likely you , the smashed, will be left holding the bag. 🙂
Absolutely the best government is no government and even if the Jan. 6 event had reversed the “election”, we would still have government by egomaniacs.