Ian Smith, the owner of Atlis Gym in Bellmawr, announced on Twitter on Sunday that he is seeking to oust Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) to represent New Jersey's third congressional district in Washington.

Smith said he will formally unveil his campaign 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 wrote in a tweet. 

The gym owner made headlines throughout the pandemic for refusing to comply with Gov. Phil Murphy's (D-N.J.) COVID-19 mitigation measures, including a mandate that gyms keep their indoor spaces closed to the public.

He was arrested in July 2020 along with his co-owner Frank Trumbetti on charges of fourth-degree contempt and obstruction and violation of a disaster control act.