Welle Lashes Out At The Asbury Park Press For Endorsing Smith

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — After the Asbury Park Press endorsed Congressman Chris Smith Friday for re-election to the 4th District seat in Congress, his Democratic opponent Josh Welle released a furious press release, saying the Jersey Shore's hometown newspaper ignored his years of military service and unfairly attacked the now-defunct software company he started.

The Asbury Park Press announced they endorsed Smith on Friday, and Welle's campaign released what can only be described as a livid press release today, Monday, Oct. 29. The APP said they support Republican Rep. Smith for Congress over Welle, the Democrat trying to take the seat Smith has held for more than 30 years.

"We have disagreed with Smith on some issues over the years, including his views on reproductive choice and gay marriage, but we have never questioned his motives or his integrity," the APP wrote. "The latter is in short supply today, as is the willingness of members of Congress to reach across the aisle to achieve compromise. On both counts, we believe Smith is the best choice on Nov. 6."

The Asbury Park Press also criticized Welle's software company, writing in their decision to endorse Smith that, "Welle, after leaving the Navy in 2015, created a software company with 'several of his best friends,' according to his website, but the company was dissolved after only two years. We're not sure how Welle thinks that translates into an effective public servant."

Welle says the APP was wrong to ignore his wartime credentials — he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy — and to focus so much on his software company, which he started in 2015 and which folded in 2017.

“For the APP to join Chris Smith and dismiss my service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, try to discredit my private sector experience, and admonish my software company that I started with veterans is offensive,” said Welle. “Elected at age 27 in 1980, Congressman Smith has held one job in his adult life. He never created a business, raised venture capital, or hired staff to deliver a product. And the fact that The APP, who should conduct responsible research and report truth, would demean a business started by veterans and suggest I lack integrity based on unsubstantiated blogs is disappointing.”

During this live, taped interview with the Asbury Park Press editorial board last Thursday, reporters and editors repeatedly questioned Welle about how his company at one time owed the state of Delaware more than $130,000. Patch reported on this issue multiple times: Welle first said an outside business consultant is the reason his company owed the taxes, which the consultant disputed when asked by Patch.

He also said the issue was a paperwork error, and that all his company owed was $1,107.75. The state of Delaware backs that up, as they confirmed Welle paid a back tax of $1,107 and the firm currently owes no further back taxes. But before the media raised the issue, and Welle resolved it, his software firm did owe $130,000 in back taxes.

“In reading The APP editorial endorsement, it’s disappointing the APP dismissed Josh’s 12 years of active duty, earning three masters degrees, and then, as a veteran re-entering society, being able to start a business in the new digital economy," said Kim Maier, Welle’s campaign manager.

Welle has aggressively attacked Smith over the course of the campaign, including for his views on adoption by same-sex parents, abortion (Smith is pro-life) and other topics. However, Randy Bergmann, the director of the editorial pages of the Asbury Park Press, took serious issue with Welle's manner, saying he comes across as "arrogant and condescending."

"Smith also has helped bring a measure of civility to Congress, something sorely lacking there. And we have seen no evidence during the campaign that Welle would contribute to an improved political climate," the Asbury Park Press wrote. "During the Press editorial board meeting, he came across as arrogant and condescending. He called Smith's views on women's rights and gay rights "perverse" and was repeatedly, and unfairly, dismissive of the congressman's legislative accomplishments. Welle's style is the last thing Washington needs."

“We are grateful or the endorsement,” said Smith campaign manager Scott Maraldo. “Chris Smith is a successful legislator and we appreciate that the APP underscored that the voters in his district believe Chris is ‘honest, hardworking and principled.’ The more people see that, the better.”

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 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.

The midterm election is Nov. 6.

Related:

Josh Welle Under Fire For Owing Back Taxes

Company Disputes Josh Welle's Explanation Of Unpaid Taxes

Listen: Full Audio Of Rep. Chris Smith's Views On Gay Adoption