Battle brews in New Jersey's 3rd district

TRENTON (WPVI) -- There's a big battle to fill New Jersey's 3rd congressional district seat.

Republican Tom MacArthur is facing Democrat Aimee Belgard for the position once held by former Philadelphia Eagle turned politician John Runyan.

54-year-old Tom MacArthur of Toms River is a wealthy, retired insurance executive from North Jersey who moved his primary residence into the 3rd district when Congressman Runyan decided not to run for reelection. MacArthur was the mayor of Randolph prior to his move.

"I intend to bring my years of experience as a businessman and as a local mayor and try to break through the impasse that's gripping Washington," MacArthur said.

40-year-old Burlington County freeholder Aimee Belgard is a Democrat from Edgewater Park. A trial lawyer not currently practicing, she started as a township committeewoman and over the years has been active in charities including the American Cancer Society.

"We see the struggling middle class, people that are really feeling squeezed right now and they want a voice in congress and that's exactly what I intend to be," Belgard said.

Belgard and MacArthur differ on a number of issues.

"We're talking about things like raising the minimum wage or equal pay for equal work for women. These are the issues that I have been talking about and have been resonating with the people here in the 3rd district because it affects their lives, it affects their families," Belgard said.

MacArthur says he brought pay equity to his company, but has concerns about legislating it on the federal level.

"Is it going to benefit people or is it just going to result in litigation? I want to make sure that equal pay benefits women, not just trial lawyers. I believe the minimum wage is better done by states," MacArthur said.

A recent by Monmouth University poll put MacArthur ahead of Belgard by 10 points. The race is considered one of the nastiest in the state.

"My opponent has put $4 million of his own wealth into this race to try to buy himself a seat in congress," Belgard said.

"I don't see it as a prize to be bought, for starters. I see it as a job of serving people," MacArthur said.

The 3rd district includes most of Burlington and Ocean counties.