New Jersey's 4th Congressional District

New Jersey's 4th Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (Republican), who has held the seat since 1981. Smith has an overall VoteSee report card grade of A, voted in 99% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Republican majority 84% of the time. The district includes Toms River, Lakewood, and Tinton Falls. It takes in all or part of 2 counties, and 68% of residents live in Ocean County. About 788,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $99,155.

Current Representative

Christopher Smith (Republican) has represented New Jersey's 4th Congressional District since 1981.

VoteSee report card grade: A
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 99% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Republican majority: 84%

See Christopher Smith's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: New Jersey 4th District

Winner: Chris Smith.

Incumbent Chris Smith is running for re-election. 2 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

Chris Smith (Republican), incumbent: raised $797K, $553K cash on hand; VoteSee report card A; 99% attendance; votes with the Republican majority 84% of the time
Rachel Peace (Democratic): raised $101K, $14K cash on hand

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 788,486
Median household income: $99,155
Median age: 41
Median home value: $461,100
Bachelor's degree or higher: 40.3%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Smith Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Republican majority

No on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (Jul 22, 2026) — Failed
Aye on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (Jul 21, 2026) — Failed
Aye on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (Jul 21, 2026) — Agreed to

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented New Jersey's 4th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Frank Thompson — Democrat (1955–1981)
Charles Howell — Democrat (1949–1955)
Frank Mathews — Republican (1945–1949)
David Powers — Republican (1933–1947)
Charles Eaton — Republican (1925–1933)
Charles Browne — Democrat (1923–1925)
Elijah Hutchinson — Republican (1915–1923)
Allan Walsh — Democrat (1913–1915)
Ira Wood — Republican (1903–1913)
William Lanning — Republican (1903–1905)
De Flanagan — Democrat (1901–1903)
Joshua Salmon — Democrat (1899–1903)

Where the District Is

New Jersey's 4th Congressional District covers 651 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Ocean County (part): 68% of residents
Monmouth County (part): 32% of residents

Largest communities

Toms River
Lakewood
Tinton Falls
Point Pleasant
Eatontown
Holiday City-Berkeley
Beachwood
Pine Lake Park