Chris Smith | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2014 | |
| Chair of theHouse Veterans' Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 4, 2001 – January 3, 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Stump |
| Succeeded by | Steve Buyer |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's4th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Henry Smith (1953-03-04)March 4, 1953 (age 72) Rahway, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (1978–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 1978) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Trenton State College (BS) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Smith supporting the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Benefits Improvement Act of 2003. Recorded June 23, 2003 | |
Christopher Henry Smith (born March 4, 1953) is an American politician serving as theU.S. representative forNew Jersey's 4th congressional district since 1981. Though it has taken various forms, his district has always been situated incentralNew Jersey. Currently, the district contains parts ofOcean andMonmouth counties. Smith is a member of theRepublican Party, having switched from theDemocratic Party in 1978. As of 2025, Smith is tied withHal Rogers for being the longest currently serving member of the House of Representatives.
Smith is the dean ofNew Jersey's congressional delegation and the longest-serving member of Congress in New Jersey's history.[1] He has focused much of his career on promotinghuman rights abroad, including authoring theVictims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and several follow-on laws. From 1993 to 2019, he was the top House Republican on the United StatesCommission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He has used his leadership positions, including chairmanships, to author multiple pieces of legislation focused on human rights[2] and conduct aggressive oversight of human rights abuses,[3] actions that have earned him scorn from effected nations.[4]
Smith was born inRahway, New Jersey, on March 4, 1953.[5] He attendedSt. Mary's High School inPerth Amboy, where he competed as a runner and wrestler.[6]
After graduating with aB.A. in business administration from Trenton State College (nowThe College of New Jersey), Smith worked in his family's sporting goods business.[7] In the1976 election cycle, he managed the Democratic primary challenge of Steven Foley, an attorney and anti-abortion activist, against incumbent SenatorHarrison A. Williams; Foley received about 15% of the vote, losing to Williams.[7] He also ran to representNew Jersey's 19th legislative district as a delegate to the1976 Democratic National Convention. Smith supportedEllen McCormack, the chair of the New York State Right to Life Party, for president of the United States and ran as a delegate pledged to support her candidacy.[8]
In 1978, Smithswitched to the Republican Party,[9] and became executive director of the New JerseyRight to Life Committee, a part-time role.[7]
.jpg)
In 1978, while working at his family's sporting goods store, 25-year-old Smith ran for Congress as a Republican. He lost to longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. CongressmanFrank Thompson 61%–37%.[10][11]
In 1980, Smith ran against Thompson again. Initially, Smith was thought to have a very slim chance of winning, but Thompson was indicted as part of the FBI'sAbscam probe.[9] With the race now considered competitive, Republicans considered replacing Smith, but two alternative candidates seen as more competitive, Hamilton mayorJohn K. Rafferty and 1978 Senate nomineeJeff Bell, declined.[7] Helped byRonald Reagan'sstrong performance in the district, Smith defeated Thompson 57%–41%.[12]
In1982, Smith's district was redrawn to include more Democratic voters[7] and his Democratic opponent was formerNew Jersey Senate PresidentJoseph P. Merlino, who had directly controlled the redistricting process and run a competitive campaign for governor the year before. It was widely assumed that Smith's 1980 victory over the scandal-plagued Thompson was a fluke, and that he would lose to the better-known Merlino.[7] At the end of one of their debates, Smith approached Merlino to exchange pleasantries. Merlino was quoted as saying "Beat it, kid."[7]
During the campaign, Merlino ran a negative ad comparing Smith toJimmy Stewart's character inMr. Smith Goes to Washington. In response, Stewart released a statement endorsing Smith and denouncing the ad: "When I played Mr. Smith in that picture, I did not think he was a naive hick. I thought he believed in honesty and integrity in government, the right of the people and the love of his country." Merlino pulled the ad.[13]
Smith won the race with 52.7% of the vote.[14][15]
Subsequently, a federal court found the 1982 redistricting was impermissiblegerrymandering, and Smith's district was redrawn to more closely resemble the one used in 1980.[7][16] He has not faced another contest that close since.
Smith ran for a third term and defeated Democratic candidate James C. Hedden in the general election.
Smith ran for a fourth term and defeated Democratic candidate Jeffrey Laurenti in the general election.
Smith ran for a fifth term and defeated Democratic candidate Betty Holland in the general election.
Smith ran for a sixth term and defeated Democratic candidate Mark Setaro in the general election.
Smith ran for a seventh term and defeated Democratic candidate Brian M. Hughes in the general election.
Smith ran for an eighth term and defeated Democratic candidate Ralph Walsh in the general election.
Smith ran for a ninth term and defeated Democratic candidate Kevin Meara in the general election.
Smith ran for a tenth term and defeated Democratic candidate Larry Schneider in the general election.
Smith ran for an eleventh term and defeated Democratic candidateReed Gusciora in the general election.
Smith ran for a twelfth term and defeated Democratic candidate Mary Brennan in the general election.
Smith ran for a thirteenth term and defeated Democratic candidate Amy Vasquez in the general election.
Smith ran for a fourteenth term and defeated Democratic candidate Carol Gay in the general election, winning 66% of the vote. Smith's win was the highest percentage for any Republican in theNew Jersey delegation.[17]
Smith ran for a fifteenth term and defeated Democratic candidateJosh Zeitz in the general election, winning 66% of the vote.[18]
.jpg)
Smith ran for a sixteenth term and defeated Democratic candidate Howard Kleinhendler in the general election.
Smith ran for a seventeenth term and defeated Democratic candidate Brian Froelich in the general election.
Smith ran for an eighteenth term and defeated Democrat Ruben Scolavino in the general election.
Smith ran for a nineteenth term and defeated Democrat Lorna Phillipson in the general election, winning 63.7% of the vote.[19]
Smith ran for a twentieth term and defeated Democratic nominee Joshua Welle, winning 55% of the vote. Smith was the only Republican to win a congressional race in New Jersey that year, reducing the GOP to its smallest presence in New Jersey's House delegation since 1918. This was Smith's closest election since 1982.
Smith ran for a twenty-first term and defeated Democratic nominee Stephanie Schmid in the general election, winning 59.9% of the vote.[20]
Smith ran for a twenty-second term and defeated Democratic nominee Matthew Jenkins with 66.9% of the vote.[21]
Smith ran for a twenty-third term and defeated Democrat Matthew Jenkins in the general election, winning 67.3% of the vote.[22]
Smith was ranked the 17th most bipartisan member of the House of Representatives during the114th United States Congress (and the second most bipartisan from New Jersey) in the Bipartisan Index bythe Lugar Center.[23]
In November 1997, Smith was one of 18 House Republicans to co-sponsora resolution byBob Barr that sought to launch animpeachment inquiry against PresidentBill Clinton.[24][25] The resolution did not specify any charges or allegations.[25] This was an early effort toimpeach Clinton, predating theClinton–Lewinsky scandal. That scandal led to a more serious effort to impeach Clinton in 1998.[26] On October 8, 1998, Smith voted in favor of legislation that was passed to openan impeachment inquiry.[27]On December 19, 1998, he voted in favor of all four proposedarticles of impeachment against Clinton (only two of which received the needed majority of votes to be adopted).[28][29][30][31]
It was revealed in October 2015 that intern applicants for Smith's office were required to rate "27 different personalities, organizations, and political issues, to indicate whether they tend to agree with them, disagree with them, or have no opinion or knowledge of them". Personalities and organizations includedRachel Maddow, thePope,Planned Parenthood, and The National Right to Life Committee.[32]
Smith has been nominated, and confirmed, twice to serve as a member of the United States delegation to theUnited Nations General Assembly. He was nominated by PresidentBarack Obama in 2015 for the70th session[33] and by PresidentDonald Trump in 2017 for the72nd session.[34][35]
Smith voted against both articles in thefirst impeachment of Donald Trump, and the sole article of thesecond impeachment of Donald Trump.[36][37][38]
Smith did not join the majority of Republican members of Congress who signed anamicus brief in support ofTexas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at theUnited States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.[39] Smith voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's results in the2021 United States Electoral College vote count.
On February 4, 2021, Smith voted with 10 other House Republicans and all House Democrats to stripMarjorie Taylor Greene of herHouse Education and Labor Committee andHouse Budget Committee assignments, in response to controversial political statements she had made.[40] On November 5, 2021, Smith was one of 13 House Republicans to break with their party and vote with a majority of Democrats in favor of theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[41]
As of 2008, Smith resides in Herndon, Virginia, and rented an apartment in Hamilton, New Jersey.[42]
In January 2001, Smith became chairman of theVeterans' Affairs Committee, and pushed for policies Republican leadership opposed, including voting against the Republican, and for the Democratic, budget resolution, because the latter included more spending on veterans programs. In 2004, Smith refused to endorse the Republican budget proposal, unless it included more money for veterans. In a congressional hearing, Smith articulated his belief that the Bush Administration's budget request was $1.2 billion less than the Department of Veterans Affairs actually required, embarrassing the administration and Republican congressional leadership.[43][44] During his four years as committee chair, Smith wrote 22 bills addressing veterans' issues.[44] His unwillingness to follow the party line resulted in the House Republican Caucus removing him from his chairmanship (and from the committee altogether) in January 2005, at the beginning of the109th Congress, with the chairmanship going toSteve Buyer instead, two years short of the normal six-year term.[43][44] Veterans' groups such as theVeterans of Foreign Wars andParalyzed Veterans of America praised Smith and criticized the decision to remove him.[44]
On May 6, 2014, Smith introduced the billInternational Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking (H.R. 4573; 113th Congress), which would require the notification of foreign governments when an American registered as asex offender of children travels to their country.[45][46][47]
As of April 2020,FiveThirtyEight reported that Smith voted in line with Trump's position 67.7% of the time, the third-lowest percentage among Republican members of Congress after fellow New JerseyanJeff Van Drew andBrian Fitzpatrick.[48]
In March 2021, Smith was one of eight Republicans to join the House majority in passing theBipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.[49]
Smith is stronglyanti-abortion. He is a co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and served as co-chair ofthe Trump administration's Pro-Life Coalition.[55][56] He supports theMexico City policy, which blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals, advocate to decriminalize abortion or expand abortion services.[57] In 2000, he voted for thePartial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000.[58] In December 2023, Smith signed a letter of support toTommy Tuberville, thanking him for his nine-month hold on more than 400 military promotions over the Pentagon's abortion policy.[59]
Smith expressed support for theStupak-Pitts Amendment, an amendment to America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.[60]
Smith has introduced various forms of theNo Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, starting with the original proposal in 2011. The 2011 proposal prohibited federal funds from being used for health benefits that cover abortion, unless in the case of rape, incest or if the woman could die. It also disqualified abortions from being written off on taxes.[58] In 2013, Smith reintroduced the proposal, which further restricted insurance coverage of abortions.[61] The bill passed the House but has yet to be voted on by the Senate.[62][63]
Smith opposes federal efforts to overturn state and local agricultural laws, including laws related to farmanimal welfare. In September 2023, Smith was one of 181 representatives who signed abipartisan letter opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023farm bill.[64] The EATS Act would havepreempted state and local regulations on the sale of animal products raised inbattery cages,gestation crates, andveal crates, includingCalifornia's Proposition 12. Smith was also one of 16 House Republicans who signed a letter to theHouse Committee on Agriculture opposing the EATS Act in October 2023.[65] The letter claimed that the legislation would infringe onstates' rights and empower foreign-owned agribusinesses like the Chinese-owned pork producerWH Group to exert influence over U.S. agricultural policy.[65]
Smith voted for the original 1994Violence Against Women Act, and co-sponsored the reauthorization bills of 2000 and 2005, the latter of which provided $1.6 billion for investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, imposed automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave un-prosecuted.[66] Smith voted against reauthorizing the act in 2013, due to the Senate version of the bill's cutting of funding for the Trafficking in Persons Office at the State Department, which Smith'sVictims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 created.[67][68]
As of 2020, Smith has a lifetime score of 62% on the National Environmental Scorecard of theLeague of Conservation Voters,[69] the second-highest of any sitting Republican member (afterBrian Fitzpatrick).[70][71] He has said, "Climate change is a global challenge that must be addressed with a global solution."[72]
Smith also opposes offshore drilling, particularly in New Jersey.[73]
Smith backed a carbonemissions trading bill to tackle climate change, one of only eight Republicans in the House to do so.[74]
Smith voted against theAbandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987.[75] The Act asserts United States title to certain abandoned shipwrecks located on or embedded in submerged lands under state jurisdiction, and transfers title to the respective state, thereby empowering states to manage these cultural and historical resources more efficiently, with the goal of preventingtreasure hunters and salvagers from damaging them. Despite his vote against it, PresidentRonald Reagan signed it into law on April 28, 1988.[76]
Smith opposesconcealed carry.[77] In 2016, he was one of four Republicans to receive a 100% rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and has generally received low or intermediate ratings from pro-gun organizations Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association.[78] Smith did not co-sponsor the Brady Campaign's proposed legislation to expand background checks for gun purchasers.[79]
Smith was one of five Republicans to co-sponsor HR 8 in the 116th Congress, which would require mandatory background checks for gun sales.[80]
Smith called the 2016Orlando nightclub shooting "tragic beyond words", and said, "The terrorist's motive, if linked to radical Islamist ideology, underscores the escalating national and worldwide threat from global jihad."[81]
In the wake of the2017 Las Vegas shooting, Smith co-sponsored a ban onbump stocks withLeonard Lance.[82]
Smith has written three major laws to addressautism, including the most recent Autism CARES which included $1.3 billion in funding for research, services and supports and requires a report on aging out.[83]
On May 9, 2014, Smith introduced the billAutism CARES Act of 2014, a bill that would amend thePublic Health Service Act to reauthorize research, surveillance, and education activities related toautism spectrum disorders (autism) conducted by various agencies within theUnited States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).[84]
On May 9, 2019, Smith was one of only three Republicans who voted for HR 986, a measure supported by all voting House Democrats intended to maintain protections of those with preexisting medical conditions to have continued access to affordable medical insurance under the existing provisions of theAffordable Care Act.[85] Five weeks earlier, he had voted with seven other Republicans to pass a resolution condemning the Trump administration's efforts by Department of Justice to have the courts invalidate Obamacare.[86]
Smith has been a longtime promoter of the medically unrecognized "chronic Lyme disease", and has pushed for the medical establishment to recognize the condition.[87] The condition, not to be confused with genuineLyme disease, is generally rejected by medical professionals, and its promotion is generally seen ashealth fraud.[88][89][90] In 2019, Smith proposed an investigation into whetherthe Pentagon had released "weaponized"ticks infected with Lyme disease into the environment between 1950 and 1975.[91][92] Scientists identified this proposal, which Congress did not adopt, as based on a conspiracy theory and claimed that an investigation was unnecessary and a poor use of funds.[93][94][95]
Smith advocates forhuman rights, serving on numerous committees that seek to impact both national and international laws and legislation. He has stated that the bills he introduces to the house are meant to make the U.S. take "human rights seriously".[96]
In 1999, Smith proposed, as part of the American Embassy Security Act, to stop a U.S. sponsored program which provided training toRoyal Ulster Constabulary with theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), due to claims of human rights violations, i. e., harassment of defense attorneys representing republicans inNorthern Ireland.[97] However, he voted "no" on a bill that halts arms sales to Saudi Arabia and removes troops from Yemen.[98]
He supported the return David Goldman's son in theGoldman child abduction case, which involved a trip toBrazil.[99] Smith acknowledges theArmenian genocide, and has made calls for the U.S. to recognize it.[100]
In 2017, Smith co-sponsored an effort to prioritizehuman rights in Azerbaijan withJim McGovern. The H. Res. 537 act also seeks to see further implementation of theMagnitsky Act regarding Azerbaijani officials, as well as a call for Azerbaijan to release all political prisoners.[101] He supported efforts to deportJakiw Palij, adenaturalized former American citizen residing in New York who failed to disclose he worked as a guard at aconcentration camp inNazi Germany.[102] Palij was deported to Germany in 2018 and died in 2019.[103] Smith condemnedTurkey's wide-rangingcrackdown on dissent following a failed July 2016 coup.[104]
Smith has held congressional hearings and has proposed bills regarding human rights violations, specifically around women's sexual health, activism and religious groups, in China. He staunchly opposes theforced sterilization andforced abortions being implemented by the Chinese government towards women regarding China'sone-child policy. Regarding the victimization of these women, Smith stated that "the agony that those women carry with them is beyond words. They talk about the pain that they carry for their child and for the violation by the state." In response, Smith wrote a bill, which was put into law in 1999, making it illegal for the U.S. to issue visas toforeign nationals who have been involved in forced abortion or sterilization.[96]
Smith held a congressional hearing regarding the disappearance of blind Chinese activistChen Guangcheng.[96] He attempted, in 2011, to visit Chen in China, when the activist was underhouse arrest, but was not granted permission.[105] In response to the violations towards Chen and his family, Smith sponsored theChina Democracy Promotion Act of 2011, which sought to prevent known Chinese human rights violators from entering the U.S.[96]
In the wake of the2014 Hong Kong class boycott campaign andUmbrella Movement, Smith co-sponsored the bipartisanHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, supportingHong Kong's ongoing autonomy and the human rights of those Hong Kongers involved in nonviolent protests and/or those who have had their rights violated by the Chinese government.[106]
In November 2018, Smith raised the issue ofXinjiang internment camps andhuman rights abuses against the Uyghurs.[107] Smith said: "The internment of over a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in China is a staggering evil and should be treated by the international community as acrime against humanity. The Chinese government's creation of a vast system of what can only be called concentration camps cannot be tolerated in the 21st century."[108]
On July 13, 2020, Smith, along with three other U.S. politicians, wassanctioned by the Chinese government for "interfering in China’s internal affairs" through their condemnation of human rights abuses inXinjiang.[109] On August 10, 2020, Smith, along with 10 other U.S. individuals, was sanctioned by the Chinese government for "behaving badly on Hong Kong-related issues".[110]
In October 2022,Politico reported that Smith criticized some US-based financial executives attending theGlobal Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, saying that companies "that trumpet their so-called 'Environmental, Social and Governance Principles' at home are quick to discard these 'values' for a chance to make a profit from China."[111]
Smith has indicated his serious concern on the amendment of the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act inSouth Korea which passed the South KoreanNational Assembly on December 14, 2020. It penalizes activists who send anti-North Korean material across the border asballoon propaganda. It was passed by the super-majority of the ruling party of PresidentMoon Jae-in who is keen to improve cross-border ties. Smith stated that "While I would hope that members ofKorea's Democratic Party would see how damaging this proposed legislation is to democratic principles and human rights, and thus reverse course, in the event that they pass such a law, I call upon our State Department to critically reevaluate the Republic of Korea's commitment to democratic values in its annual human rights report, as well as in its report on international religious freedom. It may very well be that we will see South Korea put on a watch list, which would be a very sad development indeed."[112]
Smith supports religious rights regarding international human rights. He supports sanctions againstVietnam regarding its treatment of Catholics and China regarding theUyghurs andFalun Gong.[99]
Smith supported the Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act in 2012, which would have extended the deadline forIndonesian immigrants to file for citizenship.[113]
Smith authored the Global Online Freedom Act in 2007, but it did not become law.[114] The proposed legislation was a bill "to promote freedom of expression on the Internet, to protect United States businesses from coercion to participate in repression by authoritarian foreign governments, and for other purposes."[115] Specifically, the bill would prohibit American companies from turning over data about customers residing in "internet restrictive countries." The bill is supported byAmnesty International,Human Rights Watch andReporters Without Borders. It is opposed by theElectronic Frontier Foundation.[116]
On May 19, 2021, Smith was one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish theJanuary 6 commission meant to investigate theU.S. Capitol attack.[117]
He was given a C− byRepublican Accountability in the organization's Democracy Report Card.[118]
In 2015, Smith said he did not considersame-sex marriage a fundamental human right as defined by theUnited Nations.[119]
In July 2022, Smith voted against theRespect for Marriage Act, a bill that required the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.[120]
Smith supports theEmployee Free Choice Act.[99] The AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard, which tracks support for workers' rights, gives Smith a 61% lifetime rating, ranking him seventh of New Jersey's twelve Representatives, and 195th of theHouse's 435 Representatives.[121]
The AFL-CIO endorsed Smith for re-election in 2018, calling him one of the "best candidates for working people," due to his support for collective bargaining, opposition to theJanus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision, and support for infrastructure funding, among other reasons.[122]
As of March 2019, Smith is the only Republican co-sponsor of thePaycheck Fairness Act.[123] He also supported theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which expanded the scope of thestatute of limitations for pay discrimination.[124]
Smith cited the example ofLech Wałęsa and theSolidarity movement as a reason he support unions. He also said of his fellow Republicans, "What my Republican colleagues often don't understand is that labor is a human-rights issue".[99]
Bob Wallace, executive director of theVeterans of Foreign Wars calls Smith "the best friend" of veterans. In 2004, Smith refused to endorse the Republican budget proposal unless it included more money for veterans. In a congressional hearing, Smith publicly articulated his belief that the Bush Administration's budget request was $1.2 billion less than the Department of Veterans Affairs actually required, embarrassing the administration and Republican congressional leadership.[125] In 2005, Smith was removed from his chairmanship and membership on the Veterans Affair Committee for his aggressive role in seeking more funding for veteran-related causes.[99]
Smith supports efforts to provide alternatives toembryonic stem cell research. In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill withArtur Davis to fund the creation of a network of nationalblood banks to distributeumbilical cord blood for stem cell research.[126]
Smith voted against the2017 Republican tax legislation backed by Donald Trump; he was one of five Republican representatives from New Jersey who joined Democrats in opposing the bill. Smith opposed the bill as "unfair to the taxpayers of New Jersey" because it dramatically limited the federal reduction of state and local taxes (SALT).[127] and said he would be "forced to oppose" more tax cuts if legislation included a provision permanently extending the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction.[128]
Smith voted for theEconomic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.[129] The Act aimed to stimulate economic growth by significantly reducingincome tax rates. It passed the House of Representatives in a 323–107 vote, the Senate via avoice vote, and it was signed into law by PresidentRonald Reagan on August 13, 1981.[129][130] Smith also voted for theOmnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981.[131] The Act decreased federal spending and increased military funding. It passed the House of Representatives in a 232–193 vote, the Senate via a voice vote, and it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan the same day.[132]
| Year | Republican | Votes | % | Democratic | Votes | % | Third Party | Party | Votes | % | Third Party | Party | Votes | % | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Chris Smith | 41,833 | 36.9% | Frank Thompson (Inc) | 69,259 | 61.1% | John Valjean Mahalchik | Independent | 1,145 | 1% | Paul Rizzo | No Slogan | 827 | 1% | |||||
| 1980 | Chris Smith | 95,447 | 57% | Frank Thompson (Inc) | 68,480 | 41% | Jack Moyers | Libertarian | 2,801 | 2% | Paul Rizzo | No Slogan | 1,776 | 1% | |||||
| 1982 | Chris Smith | 85,660 | 53% | Joseph Merlino | 75,658 | 47% | Bill Harris | Libertarian | 662 | 0% | Paul Rizzo | No Slogan | 374 | 0% | * | ||||
| 1984 | Chris Smith | 139,295 | 61% | James Hedden | 87,908 | 39% | |||||||||||||
| 1986 | Chris Smith | 78,699 | 61% | Jeffrey Laurenti | 49,290 | 38% | Earl Dickey | Stop Financing Communism | 789 | 1% | |||||||||
| 1988 | Chris Smith | 155,283 | 66% | Betty Holland | 79,006 | 33% | Judson Carter | Independent | 1,114 | 0% | Daniel Maiullo | Libertarian | 791 | 0% | |||||
| 1990 | Chris Smith | 99,920 | 63% | Mark Setaro | 54,961 | 35% | Carl Peters | Libertarian | 2,178 | 1% | Joseph Notarangelo | Populist | 1,206 | 1% | * | ||||
| 1992 | Chris Smith | 149,095 | 62% | Brian Hughes | 84,514 | 35% | Benjamin Grindlinger | Libertarian | 2,984 | 1% | Patrick Pasculi | Independent | 2,137 | 1% | * | ||||
| 1994 | Chris Smith | 109,818 | 68% | Ralph Walsh | 49,537 | 31% | Leonard Marshall | Conservative | 1,579 | 1% | Arnold Kokans | Natural Law | 833 | 1% | |||||
| 1996 | Chris Smith | 146,404 | 64% | Kevin Meara | 77,565 | 34% | Robert Figueroa | Independent | 3,000 | 1% | J. Morgan Strong | Independent | 2,034 | 1% | * | ||||
| 1998 | Chris Smith | 92,991 | 62% | Larry Schneider | 52,281 | 35% | Keith Quarles | Independent | 1,753 | 1% | Morgan Strong | Independent | 1,495 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2000 | Chris Smith | 158,515 | 63% | Reed Gusciora | 87,956 | 35% | Stuart Chaifetz | Independent | 3,627 | 1% | Paul Teel | Independent | 712 | 0% | |||||
| 2002 | Chris Smith | 115,293 | 66% | Mary Brennan | 55,967 | 32% | Keith Quarles | Libertarian | 1,211 | 1% | Hermann Winkelmann | Honesty, Humanity, Duty | 1,063 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2004 | Chris Smith | 192,671 | 67% | Amy Vasquez | 92,826 | 32% | Richard Edgar | Libertarian | 2,056 | 1% | |||||||||
| 2006 | Chris Smith | 124,482 | 66% | Carol Gay | 62,902 | 33% | Richard Edgar | Libertarian | 1,539 | 1% | Louis Wary | Remove Medical Negligence | 614 | 0% | |||||
| 2008 | Chris Smith | 202,972 | 66% | Joshua Zeitz | 100,036 | 32% | Steven Welzer | Green | 3,543 | 1% | |||||||||
| 2010 | Chris Smith | 129,752 | 69% | Howard Kleinhendler | 52,118 | 28% | Joe Siano | Libertarian | 2,912 | 2% | Steven Welzer | Green | 1,574 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2012 | Chris Smith | 195,146 | 64% | Brian Froelich | 107,992 | 35% | Leonard Marshall | No Slogan | 3,111 | 1% | |||||||||
| 2014 | Chris Smith | 118,826 | 68% | Ruben Scolavino | 54,415 | 31% | Scott Neuman | D-R Party | 1,608 | 1% | |||||||||
| 2016 | Chris Smith | 211,992 | 64% | Lorna Phillipson | 111,532 | 34% | Hank Schroeder | Economic Growth | 5,840 | 2% | Jeremy Marcus | Libertarian | 3,320 | 1% | |||||
| 2018 | Chris Smith | 159,965 | 55% | Joshua Welle | 123,995 | 43% | Michael Rufo | Libertarian | 1,352 | 1% | Ed Stackhouse | Independent | 1,034 | 0% | * | ||||
| 2020 | Chris Smith | 254,103 | 60% | Stephanie Schmid | 162,420 | 38% | Hank Schroeder | Independent | 3,195 | 1% | Michael Rufo | Libertarian | 2,583 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2022 | Chris Smith | 173,288 | 66% | Matthew Jenkins | 81,233 | 31% | Jason Cullen | Libertarian | 1,902 | 0.7% | David Schmidt | Independent | 1,197 | 0.5% | * | ||||
| 2024 | Chris Smith | 265,652 | 67.4% | Matthew Jenkins | 124,803 | 31.7% | John Morrison | Libertarian | 1,950 | 0.5% | Barry Bendar | Green | 1,823 | 0.5% |
Merlino's most unforgettable TV ad was shot in black-and-white as an imitation of the film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The ad shows a youthful vagabond hitchhiking as a voice-over attacks Smith. That was followed by the actor playing Smith getting kicked down the Capitol steps with the narrator urging voters to kick Smith out of Washington and replace him with Merlino. Republicans got actor Jimmy Stewart who played Mr. Smith in the movie, to issue a statement slamming Merlino. "When I played Mr. Smith in that picture, I did not think he was a naive hick," Stewart said. "I thought he believed in honesty and integrity in government, the right of the people and the love of his country." Stewart applauded Smith's record as a first-term congressman – "I hope you win," he said – and Merlino pulled the ad that had clearly backfired. Smith defeated Merlino with 53% of the vote.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's 4th congressional district 1981–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chair of theJoint Helsinki Commission 1995–1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Al D'Amato | Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission 1999–2001 | Succeeded by Ben Campbell |
| Preceded by | Chair of theHouse Veterans' Affairs Committee 2001–2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission 2003–2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theJoint China Commission 2011–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission 2011–2013 | Succeeded by Ben Cardin |
| Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission 2015–2017 | Succeeded by | |
| Preceded by Sherrod Brown | Chair of the Joint China Commission 2015–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theHouse Human Rights Commission 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Joint China Commission 2023–2025 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 2nd | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Order of precedence of the United States | |
 | ||
