New Jersey's 4th congressional district is a congressional district that stretches along the 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., New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2021. Accessed November 5, 2022.
Municipalities in the district are:District, Chris Smith (New Jersey politician). Accessed June 15, 2016.Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed November 6, 2016.
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 Results2008 PresidentMcCain 58% - 41%2012 PresidentRomney 59% - 41%2016 PresidentTrump 62% - 34%2017 GovernorGuadagno 61% - 37%2018 SenateHugin 61% - 36%2020 PresidentTrump 61% - 38% SenateMehta 60% - 38%2021 GovernorCiattarelli 65% - 34%2024 PresidentTrump 64% - 34% SenateBashaw 62% - 37%2025 GovernorCiattarelli 64% - 35%
List of members representing the district Member Party Years Congress Electoral history Counties/Towns District established March 4, 1799 James H. Imlay Federalist March 4, 1799 –March 3, 1801 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1798.Retired. 1799–1801Burlington and Monmouth District dissolved March 3, 1801 District re-established March 4, 1843 Littleton Kirkpatrick Democratic March 4, 1843 –March 3, 1845 Elected in 1842.Retired. 1843–1845Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset Joseph E. Edsall Democratic March 4, 1845 –March 3, 1847 Elected in 1844.Redistricted to the . 1845–1847Morris, Sussex, and Warren John Van Dyke Whig March 4, 1847 –March 3, 1851 Elected in 1846.Re-elected in 1848.Retired. 1847–1853Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset George H. Brown Whig March 4, 1851 –March 3, 1853 Elected in 1850.Retired. George Vail Democratic March 4, 1853 –March 3, 1857 Elected in 1852.Re-elected in 1854.Retired. 1853–1863Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex John Huyler Democratic March 4, 1857 –March 3, 1859 Elected in 1856.Lost re-election as a Lecompton Democrat. Jetur R. Riggs Anti-Lecompton Democratic March 4, 1859 –March 3, 1861 Elected in 1858.Retired. George T. Cobb Democratic March 4, 1861 –March 3, 1863 Elected in 1860.Retired. Andrew J. Rogers Democratic March 4, 1863 –March 3, 1867 Elected in 1862.Re-elected in 1864.Lost re-election. 1863–1873Bergen, Essex (except Newark), Morris, Passaic, and Sussex John Hill Republican March 4, 1867 –March 3, 1873 Elected in 1866.Re-elected in 1868.Re-elected in 1870.Retired. Robert Hamilton Democratic March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877 Elected in 1872.Re-elected in 1874.Retired. 1873–1893Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Alvah A. Clark Democratic March 4, 1877 –March 3, 1881 Elected in 1876.Re-elected in 1878.Retired. Henry S. Harris Democratic March 4, 1881 –March 3, 1883 Elected in 1880.Lost re-election. Benjamin F. Howey Republican March 4, 1883 –March 3, 1885 Elected in 1882.Retired. James N. Pidcock Democratic March 4, 1885 –March 3, 1889 Elected in 1884.Re-elected in 1886.Retired. Samuel Fowler Democratic March 4, 1889 –March 3, 1893 Elected in 1888.Re-elected in 1890.Retired. Johnston Cornish Democratic March 4, 1893 –March 3, 1895 Elected in 1892.Lost re-election. 1893–1903Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren Mahlon Pitney Republican March 4, 1895 –January 10, 1899 Elected in 1894.Re-elected in 1896.Re-elected in 1898 but resigned on election to New Jersey State Senate. Vacant January 10, 1899 –March 3, 1899 Joshua S. Salmon Democratic March 4, 1899 –May 6, 1902 Elected to finish Pitney's term.Re-elected in 1900.Died. Vacant May 6, 1902 –June 18, 1902 De Witt C. Flanagan Democratic June 18, 1902 –March 3, 1903 Elected to finish Salmon's term.Retired. William M. Lanning Republican March 4, 1903 –June 6, 1904 Elected in 1902.Resigned on appointment as district judge of 3rd circuit. 1903–1933Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Vacant June 6, 1904 –November 8, 1904 Ira W. Wood Republican November 8, 1904 –March 3, 1913 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. Allan B. Walsh Democratic March 4, 1913 –March 3, 1915 Elected in 1912.Lost re-election. Elijah C. Hutchinson Republican March 4, 1915 –March 3, 1923 Elected in 1914.Re-elected in 1916.Re-elected in 1918.Re-elected in 1920.Lost re-election. Charles Browne Democratic March 4, 1923 –March 3, 1925 Elected in 1922.Lost re-election. Charles A. Eaton Republican March 4, 1925 –March 3, 1933 Elected in 1924.Re-elected in 1926.Re-elected in 1928.Re-elected in 1930.Redistricted to the . D. Lane Powers Republican March 4, 1933 –August 30, 1945 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. 1933–1967Burlington and Mercer Vacant August 30, 1945 –November 6, 1945 Frank A. Mathews Jr. Republican November 6, 1945 –January 3, 1949 Elected to finish Powers's term.Re-elected in 1946.Retired. Charles R. Howell Democratic January 3, 1949 –January 3, 1955 Elected in 1948.Re-elected in 1950.Re-elected in 1952.Retired to run for U.S. senator. Frank Thompson Jr. Democratic January 3, 1955 –December 29, 1980 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 1971–1973: 1973–1983:Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Ocean Vacant December 29, 1980 –January 3, 1981 Chris Smith Republican January 3, 1981 –present 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 1985–1993:Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean 1993–2003:Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean 2003–2013:Parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean 2013–2023:Parts of Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean 2023–present:Parts of Monmouth and Ocean
Recent election results
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
References
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present