Who Will Represent Manchester? See New Federal, State Districts

MANCHESTER, NJ — The completion of the 2020 Census means it is time for the 10-year change in federal and state legislative districts, and those changes affect who represents which towns in every county in New Jersey.

Redistricting is meant to balance the number of people represented by each member of the House of Representatives and each member of the New Jersey Legislature, by adjusting to the population shifts in the state map.

Here's a look at which districts encompass Manchester and Lakehurst now, ahead of the coming primary elections in June and the general election in November.

Manchester and Lakehurst have been in the 4th Congressional District since 2013 and will remain there beginning in January 2023. In November, residents of both towns will be voting for the representative in the 4th District, currently represented by Republican Chris Smith.

Smith, who has been living in Mercer County but is in the process of moving into the new district boundaries, is being challenged by Mike Blasi and Mike Crispi for the Republican nomination in the district.

The 4th Congressional District (see the new map here) includes the following towns: In Ocean County, parts of Lacey and Berkeley townships, all of Manchester, Lakehurst, Plumsted, Jackson, Lakewood, Brick, Toms River, South Toms River, Lavallette, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Beachwood, Mantoloking, Bay Head, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Boro, and in Monmouth County, Brielle, Manasquan, Sea Girt, Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake, Lake Como, Belmar, Wall, Howell, Farmingdale, Colts Neck, Middletown, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Eatontown, Interlaken, Ocean Township, and part of Freehold Township.

At the state level, Manchester and Lakehurst have been in the 10th Legislative District. Under the new state legislative map, they will become part of the 9th District, which is represented by Republicans Sen. Chris Connors and Assemblymembers Brian Rumpf and DiAnne Gove.

The 9th District will include: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Eagleswood, Harvey Cedars, Lacey, Lakehurst, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Manchester, Waretown, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Ship Bottom, Stafford, Surf City and Tuckerton.

The new state legislative district map can be found here.