Welle, Chris Smith's Challenger, To Open Manchester Office

MANCHESTER, NJ — Josh Welle, the Democrat challenging incumbent Chris Smith for the 4th District congressional seat, is opening a campaign office in Manchester this weekend as he works to reach the Ocean County constituency of the district.

The office, at 101 Lacey Road in the Whiting section of Manchester, will host an open house from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. It will include remarks by Welle.

"Having a physical presence in Ocean County is important to Josh, because he wants to make sure the voters know that he is available to them, and will always be responsive to their needs and concerns," said Colleen Curtis, a campaign spokeswoman.

Welle is trying to unseat Smith, the Republican who has represented the 4th District since he was elected in 1980.

The district's current makeup is primarily Monmouth County towns, but it also includes Bay Head, Point Pleasant Beach, part of Point Pleasant Borough, Lakewood, Jackson, Plumsted and Lakehurst in addition to Manchester.

The district also encompasses the Mercer County towns of Hamilton Township and Robbinsville.

Welle, a New Jersey native who graduated from Wall High School, is a U.S. Navy veteran who served for 12 years, including a tour in Afghanistan and four deployments to the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. He currently serves in the Navy Reserve.

Photo of Josh Welle by Nicole Martin, supplied by and published with permission of the Welle campaign