5 Challenge Chris Smith To Be GOP Candidate In NJ's 4th District

NEW JERSEY — Rep. Chris Smith filed his petition Monday to seek re-election to the House of Representatives. It's something he's done 20 times before.

But as Smith seeks his 22nd term in the House — he was first elected in 1980 — he is facing a decidedly different election campaign, as five people have filed petitions to challenge Smith for the Republican nomination in the 4th District.

Monday was the deadline to submit candidacy petitions for the June 7 primary elections for Republicans and Democrats. A number of names have swirled among Republicans who have said they would challenge Smith, but the following people submitted petitions by the 4 p.m. deadline, according to the state Division of Elections.

The petitions must be certified for the candidates' names to go on the ballot for the primary.

Just one Democrat submitted a nominating petition: Matthew Jenkins of Colts Neck, who submitted 340 signatures. He is the candidate supported by the Monmouth County Democrats and the Regular Democratic Organization of Ocean County.

Smith, who is based in Toms River and submitted 705 signatures, is the candidate supported by the Monmouth County Republican Organization and the Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County.

However, Smith has been one of the Republicans in the House who is being targeted for ouster by Republicans who support former president Donald Trump. Trump began calling for Republicans to run against Smith and several other Republicans who voted in favor of President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill in December, NJ.com reported.

Trump railed against Smith and others, calling them RINOs — Republicans in name only — in part because some refused to support Trump's claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Smith was among the House members who voted to certify the election results in every state.

That is what has produced a bumper crop of Republican challengers to Smith, most of them running on some variation of the America First slogan. Those challengers are as follows:

Steve Gray, of Howell, submitted 264 signatures. He is running under the slogan America First: True Conservative Outsider. Gray is a retired FBI agent, New Jersey Globe reported.

Mike Blasi, of Freehold, submitted 277 signatures. He is running under the slogan Save America. He is a U.S. Army veteran.

Tricia Flanagan, of Toms River, submitted 243 signatures. She is running under the
America First. Flanagan had planned to run against Andy Kim until the 3rd and 4th districts were reconfigured under the redistricting.

Mike Crispi, of Middletown, submitted 580 signatures. He is running under the slogan America First Republicans. He is a conservative podcaster, the Globe report said.

Robert Shapiro, of Lakewood, submitted 203 signatures. He is running under the slogan Let's Go Brand*n - FJB. He is a frequent candidate and ran in 2020 against Kim under the Independent Constitution Party.

While Smith has the support of the county Republican clubs, at least one challenger has support from Trump's inner circle. Roger Stone, a longtime ally of Trump, is running the campaign of Crispi and has been visible at Crispi campaign events in the last few weeks.

The 4th District election will include the towns under the redrawn districts that take effect in 2023, following the redistricting resulting from the 2020 Census.

Voters in the following towns will be choosing the candidates for the general election ballot for the 4th Congressional District (see the new map here): 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.

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