# New Jersey's 4th congressional district

New Jersey's 4th congressional district is a congressional district that stretches along the New Jersey Shore. It has been represented by Republican Chris Smith since 1981, the second-longest currently serving member of the US House of Representatives and the longest serving member of Congress from New Jersey in history.
Although the 4th district had a presence in Mercer County for decades, it lost its two municipalities in the county (Hamilton Township and Robbinsville Township) following the redistricting process in late 2021, which was based on the 2020 census. The district is currently contained to Monmouth County and Ocean County. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+14, it is the most Republican district in New Jersey, and it is also the only one that did not elect a Democrat since 2018.

## Counties and municipalities in the district

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 Census), the district contains all or portions of two counties and 40 municipalities.
Municipalities in the district are:
Monmouth County (19)
    Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Brielle, Colts Neck Township, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Freehold Township (part; also 3rd), Howell Township, Lake Como, Manasquan, Middletown Township (part; also 6th; includes Lincroft, Navesink, and part of Belford, Fairview, North Middletown, and Port Monmouth), Ocean Township, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Wall Township
Ocean County (21)
    Bay Head, Beachwood, Berkeley Township (part; also 2nd; includes Holiday City-Berkeley, Holiday City South, Holiday Heights, and Silver Ridge), Brick Township, Island Heights, Jackson Township, Lacey Township (part; also 2nd; includes Forked River), Lakehurst, Lakewood Township, Lavallette, Manchester Township, Mantoloking, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant, Plumsted Township, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River, Toms River

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 58% - 41% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 59% - 41% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 62% - 34% |
| 2017 | Governor | Guadagno 61% - 37% |
| 2018 | Senate | Hugin 61% - 36% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 61% - 38% |
| 2020 | Senate | Mehta 60% - 38% |
| 2021 | Governor | Ciattarelli 65% - 34% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 64% - 34% |
| 2024 | Senate | Bashaw 62% - 37% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member District home | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral History | Counties/Towns |
| District established March 4, 1799 ||||||
| James H. Imlay (Allentown) | Federalist | March 4, 1799 – March 3, 1801 | 6th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1798. Retired. | 1799–1801 Burlington and Monmouth |
| District dissolved March 3, 1801 ||||||
| District re-established March 4, 1843 ||||||
| Littleton Kirkpatrick (New Brunswick) | Democratic | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Elected in 1842. Retired. | 1843–1845 Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset |
| Joseph E. Edsall (Hamburg) | Democratic | March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847 | 29th | Elected in 1844. Redistricted to the 3rd district. | 1845–1847 Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| John Van Dyke (New Brunswick) | Whig | March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1851 | 30th 31st | Elected in 1846. Re-elected in 1848. Retired. | 1847–1853 Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset |
| George H. Brown (Somerville) | Whig | March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | 32nd | Elected in 1850. Retired. | 1847–1853 Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset |
| George Vail (Morristown) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857 | 33rd 34th | Elected in 1852. Re-elected in 1854. Retired. | 1853–1863 Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| John Huyler (Hackensack) | Democratic | March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | 35th | Elected in 1856. Lost re-election as a Lecompton Democrat. | 1853–1863 Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| Jetur R. Riggs (Paterson) | Anti-Lecompton Democratic | March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 | 36th | Elected in 1858. Retired. | 1853–1863 Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| George T. Cobb (Morristown) | Democratic | March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | 37th | Elected in 1860. Retired. | 1853–1863 Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| Andrew J. Rogers (Newton) | Democratic | March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1867 | 38th 39th | Elected in 1862. Re-elected in 1864. Lost re-election. | 1863–1873 Bergen, Essex (except Newark), Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| John Hill (Boonton) | Republican | March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1873 | 40th 41st 42nd | Elected in 1866. Re-elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Retired. | 1863–1873 Bergen, Essex (except Newark), Morris, Passaic, and Sussex |
| Robert Hamilton (Newton) | Democratic | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877 | 43rd 44th | Elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Retired. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| Alvah A. Clark (Somerville) | Democratic | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1881 | 45th 46th | Elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Retired. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| Henry S. Harris (Belvidere) | Democratic | March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883 | 47th | Elected in 1880. Lost re-election. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| Benjamin F. Howey (Columbia) | Republican | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 | 48th | Elected in 1882. Retired. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| James N. Pidcock (Whitehouse Station) | Democratic | March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1889 | 49th 50th | Elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Retired. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| Samuel Fowler (Newton) | Democratic | March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1893 | 51st 52nd | Elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Retired. | 1873–1893 Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren |
| Johnston Cornish (Washington) | Democratic | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | 53rd | Elected in 1892. Lost re-election. | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| Mahlon Pitney (Morristown) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – January 10, 1899 | 54th 55th | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898 but resigned on election to New Jersey State Senate. | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 10, 1899 – March 3, 1899 | 55th | | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| Joshua S. Salmon (Boonton) | Democratic | March 4, 1899 – May 6, 1902 | 56th 57th | Elected to finish Pitney's term. Re-elected in 1900. Died. | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| Vacant | Vacant | May 6, 1902 – June 18, 1902 | 57th | | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| De Witt C. Flanagan (Morristown) | Democratic | June 18, 1902 – March 3, 1903 | 57th | Elected to finish Salmon's term. Retired. | 1893–1903 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren |
| William M. Lanning (Trenton) | Republican | March 4, 1903 – June 6, 1904 | 58th | Elected in 1902. Resigned on appointment as district judge of 3rd circuit. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Vacant | Vacant | June 6, 1904 – November 8, 1904 | 58th | | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Ira W. Wood (Trenton) | Republican | November 8, 1904 – March 3, 1913 | 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd | Elected to finish Lanning's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Retired. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Allan B. Walsh (Trenton) | Democratic | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | 63rd | Elected in 1912. Lost re-election. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Elijah C. Hutchinson (Trenton) | Republican | March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923 | 64th 65th 66th 67th | Elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Lost re-election. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Charles Browne (Princeton) | Democratic | March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925 | 68th | Elected in 1922. Lost re-election. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| Charles A. Eaton (North Plainfield) | Republican | March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1933 | 69th 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Redistricted to the 5th district. | 1903–1933 Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset |
| D. Lane Powers (Trenton) | Republican | March 4, 1933 – August 30, 1945 | 73rd 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th 79th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Resigned to become member of New Jersey Public Utilities Commission. | 1933–1967 Burlington and Mercer |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 30, 1945 – November 6, 1945 | 79th | | 1933–1967 Burlington and Mercer |
| Frank A. Mathews Jr. (Riverton) | Republican | November 6, 1945 – January 3, 1949 | 79th 80th | Elected to finish Powers's term. Re-elected in 1946. Retired. | 1933–1967 Burlington and Mercer |
| Charles R. Howell (Pennington) | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1955 | 81st 82nd 83rd | Elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | 1933–1967 Burlington and Mercer |
| Frank Thompson Jr. (Trenton) | Democratic | January 3, 1955 – December 29, 1980 | 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Lost re-election and resigned early. | 1933–1967 Burlington and Mercer |
| Frank Thompson Jr. (Trenton) | Democratic | January 3, 1955 – December 29, 1980 | 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Lost re-election and resigned early. | 1967–1971: Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex, and Warren |
| Frank Thompson Jr. (Trenton) | Democratic | January 3, 1955 – December 29, 1980 | 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Lost re-election and resigned early. | 1971–1973: [data missing] |
| Frank Thompson Jr. (Trenton) | Democratic | January 3, 1955 – December 29, 1980 | 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Lost re-election and resigned early. | 1973–1983: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Ocean |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 29, 1980 – January 3, 1981 | 96th | | 1973–1983: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 1973–1983: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 1983–1985: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 1985–1993: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 1993–2003: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2003–2013: Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023: Parts of Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean |
| Chris Smith (Manchester Township) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – present | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present: Parts of Monmouth and Ocean |

## Recent election results
### 2012

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 195,146 | 63.7 |
| | Democratic | Brian Froelich | 107,992 | 35.3 |
| | Independent | Leonard Marshall | 3,111 | 1.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 306,247 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 118,826 | 68.0 |
| | Democratic | Ruben M. Scolavino | 54,415 | 31.1 |
| | Independent | Scott Neuman | 1,608 | 0.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 174,849 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 211,992 | 63.7 |
| | Democratic | Lorna Phillipson | 111,532 | 33.5 |
| | Independent | Hank Schroeder | 5,840 | 1.8 |
| | Libertarian | Jeremy Marcus | 3,320 | 1.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 332,684 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 163,065 | 55.4 |
| | Democratic | Joshua Welle | 126,766 | 43.1 |
| | Libertarian | Michael Rufo | 1,387 | 0.5 |
| | Independent | Ed Stackhouse | 1,064 | 0.4 |
| | Independent | Brian Reynolds | 851 | 0.3 |
| | Independent | Felicia Stoler | 844 | 0.3 |
| | Independent | Allen Yusufov | 371 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 294,348 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 254,103 | 59.9 |
| | Democratic | Stephanie Schmid | 162,420 | 38.3 |
| | Independent | Hank Schroeder | 3,195 | 0.7 |
| | Libertarian | Michael Rufo | 2,583 | 0.6 |
| | Independent | Andrew Pachuta | 2,067 | 0.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 424,368 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

New Jersey's 4th congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 173,288 | 66.9 |
| | Democratic | Matthew Jenkins | 81,233 | 31.4 |
| | Libertarian | Jason Cullen | 1,902 | 0.7 |
| | Independent | David Schmidt | 1,197 | 0.5 |
| | Independent | Hank Schroeder | 905 | 0.3 |
| | Independent | Pam Daniels | 437 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 258,962 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |