NJ 4th House District Democratic Primary: John Blake

New Jersey's 4th District Congressional election race is underway, and there are two Democrats on the ballot in the June Primary election.

The Primary Election is Tuesday, June 2. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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In New Jersey, voters can only cast ballots in the primary election for the party in which they are registered. Unaffiliated voters can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary by declaring their intent when they go to vote.

The Democratic candidates seeking to unseat Republican Chris Smith for the 4th District seat, a two-year term in the House of Representatives, are John Blake and Rachel Peace.

Patch asked both candidates the same set of questions. Blake did not respond to the questionnaire but spoke with Patch earlier this year.

Name: John Blake

Age: 44

Family: Single

Education: Brick Memorial High School. U.S. Navy veteran, served as an aviation tech.

Occupation and employer: Union electrician in International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 400.

Any prior elected office? None

Blake has lived in Brick Township nearly all of his life, with the exception of his service in the Navy, when he was stationed overseas.

On affordability, "I feel like we have an affordability crisis and a purposeful path to erode the middle class," Blake said, "especially for people in their early 30s who want to start a family. The price of everything has gone up."

From housing to groceries to gas, "it's not just one thing," he said. Blake said he wants to investigate price gouging, and create a committee to see what can be done about the issue of investors buying up private homes, which has driven up the cost of rent and of real estate.

"I have an issue with people working blue-collar jobs but being unable to afford to live," he said.

He also wants to address issues with health care and health insurance, which has increased in cost dramatically for everyone, "not just those who are on the Affordable Care Act."

Blake also said he is focused on ensuring veterans are taken care of, and leads the veterans committee in the union. He says veterans should have their medical care provided at no charge by the federal government because veterans put their lives at risk by signing up to serve in the armed forces.

Blake said he decided to run to try to unseat Republican Chris Smith, who has served in the House for 42 years.

"My entire life Chris Smith has been in office," he said. "It's time for change."

You can hear more from Blake in videos he posted on his campaign's Instagram account here.