Chris Smith
U.S. House · NJ-4 · Republicans · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · NJ-4
Biography
Overview
Chris Smith is a Republican U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 4th congressional district, serving since 1981. He is the dean of New Jersey's congressional delegation and tied for the longest currently serving member of the House. Smith switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 1978. He is known for his focus on human rights advocacy, authoring the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and several follow-on laws.
Career
Smith authored the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and has been the lead House Republican on human rights and security issues for decades. He championed multiple autism-related laws including the Autism CARES Act with $1.3 billion in funding. He served as Veterans Affairs Committee Chair from 2001 to 2005, where he advocated for increased veterans funding despite Republican leadership opposition, resulting in his removal from the committee. He has also supported labor rights, environmental protection, and animal welfare legislation, breaking with his party on several key votes.
Prior political experience
Smith first won election to Congress in 1980, defeating long-time Democratic incumbent Frank Thompson 57%-41% after Thompson was indicted in the Abscam probe. His closest race since then was in 1982 against former New Jersey Senate President Joseph P. Merlino, whom Smith defeated 52.7%. Smith has won every subsequent election. Notable recent victories include 2024 (67.3%), 2022 (66.9%), 2020 (59.9%), 2018 (55% in what was his closest race since 1982, making him the only Republican to win a House race in New Jersey that year), and 2016 (63.7%).
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Chris Smith
No active campaigns target Chris Smith right now.
Start a campaign targeting Chris SmithOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23rd | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2025–present | In progress | Chris Smith | — |
| 22nd | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 21st | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 20th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 19th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 18th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 17th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 16th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 15th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2009–2011 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 14th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2007–2009 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 13th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2005–2007 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 12th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2003–2005 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 11th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 2001–2003 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 10th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1999–2001 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 9th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1997–1999 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 8th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1995–1997 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 7th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1993–1995 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 6th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1991–1993 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 5th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1989–1991 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 4th | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1987–1989 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 3rd | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1985–1987 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 2nd | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1983–1985 | Term ended | Chris Smith | Chris Smith |
| 1st | U.S. House NJ-4 | 1981–1983 | Term ended | — | Chris Smith |
Committee assignments
- AfricaHouseChair· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- Western HemisphereHouse· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8354
Securing Local Communities Input in Broadband Development Act
Apr 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7967
Heidi’s Law
Mar 17, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7807
Honduras Expropriation Accountability Act
Mar 4, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7482
LymeX Authorization Act
Feb 11, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7457
Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026
Feb 10, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7055
Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2026
Jan 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6930
Protecting Military Readiness from Offshore Wind Industrialization Interference Act
Dec 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6765
Safe Passages Act of 2025
Dec 16, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6042
LANDED Act
Nov 12, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5491
Nelson Wells Jr. and Dawn Michelle Hunt Unjustly Detained in Communist China Act
Sep 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8170
MATCH Act
Apr 2, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 7902
Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act
Mar 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7651
Chloe Cole Act of 2026
Feb 23, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7622
Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
Feb 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7540
United States-Israel FUTURES Act of 2026
Feb 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7552
CBW Fentanyl Act
Feb 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7459
Coastal Trust Fund Act
Feb 10, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7418
STEADFAST Act
Feb 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7417
Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026
Feb 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7438
PETSAFE Act of 2026
Feb 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House NJ-4 | Won | 67.96% |
|