Garry Cobb to Pursue Write-In Process For Open Congressional Seat

Former Philadelphia Eagle and current Cherry Hill resident Garry “G.” Cobb must now pursue an alternate route  to make the ballot for November’s special election.

“In the urgent drive to put together hundreds of signatures for the general election primary, we made an oversight and did not file the signatures necessary for the special primary ballot,” Cobb said in a release issued Friday evening. “However, we’re going to run an aggressive write-in campaign for the special election primary.  We plan on being on the general and special election ballots in November.”

Cobb collected about 400 signatures as he pursues the First Congressional District seat currently left vacant after Rob Andrews resigned in February.

However, the signatures he collected pertain to filing for a general election. He still needs 200 signatures to appear on the special election ballot.

Each petition requires 200 signatures. The deadline to file for the special primary was Monday. Cobb was not granted an extension by the state, so he will now attempt to get on the November ballot as a write-in candidate in the June 3 primary.

Cobb played 11 years in the NFL, including three with the Eagles and has served as a broadcaster on WIP Sports Radio, CBS 3 and now runs the website gcobb.com.

He will run as a Republican. Others pursuing the Republican nomination include former Collingswood school board member Claire Gustaphson, Greenwich resident Lee Lucas and Winslow resident Gerard McManus.

The Democratic Primary includes State Sen. Donald Norcross, of Camden, brother of Democratic powerbroker George Norcross; Logan Mayor Frank Minor; and Sicklerville resident Frank Broomell Jr.

The First Congressional District covers parts of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties.

The primaries are set for June 3, with the special election scheduled for Nov. 4.