BELLMAWR, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey gym owner who risked jail time amid the pandemic for remaining open during COVID-19 lockdowns is planning to run for Congress.
Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, said on Twitter that he will be formally announcing his bid 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 wrote on Sunday.
In a separate post on Instagram, he said he would stand for “people, not politicians.”
“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,” Smith wrote.
Smith said he will be running in New Jersey’s third congressional district, which is currently represented by Democrat Andy Kim, of Moorestown.
The gym owner became a controversial figure in New Jersey amid the early days of the pandemic when he and his business partner, Frank Trumbetti, refused to close their gym after Gov. Phil Murphy order all non-essential businesses shutdown.
The Health Department ordered the gym to close several times, including for pluming issues. However, they continued to reopen and were citied multiple times, facing over $1.2 million in fines.
Smith and Trumbetti most recently made headlines in May 2020 when they sued Murphy, saying the shutdown was unconstitutional.
The gym owners, in several interviews, maintained that none of New Jersey’s COVID-19 cases could be linked to their business.
When the gym was allowed to reopen with capacity limitations, Smith and Trumbetti told members that they could wear masks while working out, but they did not require them.
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