The National Rifle Association has endorsed David Richter for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd district, giving the former construction company executive the backing of an major advocacy organization heading into the final two weeks of the primary election.

Richter faces Kate Gibbs, a labor leader and former Burlington County freeholder director, for the chance to take on freshman Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) in the fall.

The chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund, Jason Ouimet, told Richter in an endorsement letter that “NRA members and gun owners in the Garden State can rest assured you will vote to protect their constitutional rights in Congress.”

Richter said he was “humbled” to win the endorsement.

“I know, as an NRA member, that the work this organization does on behalf of all gun owners is invaluable to ensuring that our government does not infringe upon our Second Amendment rights,” he said.

The NRA rating of AQ for Richter was based on the candidate questionnaire.

Gibbs was rated B, “a generally pro-gun candidate” who “may have opposed some pro-gun reform or supported some restrictive legislation in the past.”

Kim was given a 13% rating by the NRA during his 2018 bid to unseat Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-Toms River).

During his first few days in Congress, Kim joined the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and sponsored legislation to increase background checks.

Kim has sharply criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for refusing to consider gun violence legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled House.