Ian Smith, owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S., on Friday, Feb.
26, 2021. Donald Trump will speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Campaig BELLMAWR, N.J. - The owner of a New Jersey gym that made headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic for defying the state's lockdowns now says he will be running for Congress.Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, posted on social media over the weekend that he will formally announce his 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," Smith tweeted.
Smith says he will be running in New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, which stretches from suburbs just east of Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore.
Smith is challenging two-term Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, a former Obama White House staffer.Smith and his business partner, Frank Trumbetti, refused to shutter their gym in accordance with Governor Phil Murphy's orders closing nonessential businesses during the pandemic.