Rep. Chris Smith has moved to Manchester, NJ after redrawn congressional districts placed his longtime home in Hamilton out of the 4th Congressional District, which he serves in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Smith, the second-longest representative in the House, also won the unanimous support of the Ocean County Republican Organization, despite there being three candidates vying for the symbolic but important support.
Smith’s primary opponents didn’t get any nominations or votes for organization’s support at the convention. There are currently five challengers to Smith in July’s primary – Mike Blasi, Mike Crispi, David Burg, Tricia Flanagan, and Daniel Francisco.
“I am honored to receive the support and endorsement from the Ocean County Republican Organization,” Smith said. “I am looking forward to working with our County Commissioner nominees Ginny Haines and Jack Kelly, as well as Sheriff nominee Mike Mastronardy, and all local candidates in Ocean for a decisive Republican victory.”
On the Democratic side there is just one individual – Mathew Jenkins – who has announced their candidacy to challenge Murphy in November, assuming he wins the nomination.