NJ Sierra Club Endorses Josh Welle In District 4 Race

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The New Jersey Sierra Club announced Wednesday they are endorsing the Democratic candidate Josh Welle over longtime Republican Congressman Chris Smith in the NJ District 4 midterm race for Congress. Also on Wednesday, the NJ Police Benevolent Association announced they are endorsing Smith.

“We need someone in Congress who will be a leader on protecting the environment, fighting climate change, and defending us from the Trump administration’s rollbacks. We believe that Josh Welle is that person,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Chris Smith’s record has gotten worse and worse over the years. In order to deal with climate change, the 4th district needs a change in Congress."

"We support Josh Welle as a leader who will work in-step with representatives like Pallone to protect the environment and not side by side with those like Paul Ryan to destroy it," Tittel added.

Welle was born in Trenton and served 12 years active-duty in the U.S. Navy. Alongside his brother, Welle created a company that provides financing for solar power. Welle also worked as a strategic advisor to Mothers Out Front, an organization that works to make climate change an issue.

“Unfortunately for us, today’s Republicans hold a callous disregard for our planet at a time when it is in danger like never before," said Welle in a statement. "The future of this country’s energy policy is in wind, solar, and hydro power, and we need to invest in these technologies so that our economy is stronger, we are safer, and our country is a global leader on these issues once again."

"Our political committee was extremely impressed with Josh Welle during the Sierra Club's rigorous endorsement process," said John Kashwick, the chair of NJ Sierra Club's political arm. "During his multiple deployments in the military, Welle witnessed first-hand the ravages of climate change throughout the world and its threat to national security. Josh Welle will be the fighter the 4th district needs to combat climate change and the assaults on the environment waged by Republican-controlled Congress."

Both Smith and Welle have come out against oil drilling off New Jersey's coast.

The midterm election will be Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Do YOU live in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District?

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District includes nearly all of Monmouth County, from part of Middletown and Holmdel on south, into Manalapan, Colts Neck, Freehold, Jackson, Plumstead and Point Pleasant in Ocean County and a small sliver of Mercer County (Hamilton and Robbinsville). See if you live in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Smith has represented New Jersey's 4th District for decades, since 1981. NJ4 voted for Republican presidents in the past four elections: Trump, Romney, McCain and Bush. Democrats hope that the 2018 midterms, riding a blue wave of anti-Trump sentiment, could be their chance to flip NJ4 to blue.