New Jersey election 2026: What to know about the 4th Congressional District race between U.S. Rep. Chris Smith and Rachel Peace

Monmouth County (part)

• Avon By The Sea Borough
• Belmar Borough
• Brielle Borough
• Colts Neck
• Eatontown Borough
• Farmingdale Borough
• Freehold Twp. (part)
• Howell
• Lake Como Borough
• Manasquan Borough
• Middletown (part)
• Ocean Twp.
• Sea Girt Borough
• Shrewsbury Borough
• Shrewsbury Twp.
• Spring Lake Borough
• Spring Lake Heights Borough
• Tinton Falls Borough
• Wall Twp.

Ocean County (part)

• Bay Head Borough
• Beachwood Borough
• Berkeley Twp. (part)
• Brick Twp.
• Island Heights Borough
• Jackson Twp.
• Lacey Twp. (part)
• Lakehurst Borough
• Lakewood Twp.
• Lavallette Borough
• Mantoloking Borough
• Manchester Twp.
• Ocean Gate Borough
• Pine Beach Borough
• Plumsted Twp.
• Point Pleasant Beach Borough
• Point Pleasant Borough
• Seaside Heights Borough
• Seaside Park Borough
• South Toms River Borough
• Toms River Twp.

Smith describes himself as a problem-solver and said that the government can and must help those who are struggling or have been wronged or disenfranchised by the federal government.

He has sponsored legislation to support veterans, autism research, crack down on human trafficking and bolster antiterrorism efforts domestically and abroad.

Smith recently called for New Jersey to repeal its so-called sanctuary state status. In a statement, he said that doing so “would allow local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials,” and ensure that undocumented individuals who commit crimes are held accountable and potentially removed from the United States.

Smith has worked to protect New Jersey coastal communities from what he described as “the dangers of offshore wind industrialization.” After the Trump administration halted construction of offshore wind projects at the end of 2025, Smith said “ocean wind projects pose significant, catastrophic impacts to radar, putting military and civilian aircrafts and vessels at grave risk.”

Smith has consistently supported U.S. assistance and weapon sales to Israel. He is co-chair of the Israel Allies Caucus. There is no record of Smith calling for any weapon sale limits or conditions placed on Israel because of the war in Gaza.

Smith strongly opposes the $10,000 State and Local Tax, or SALT, deduction cap, the federal tax rule that limits how much you can deduct for state and local taxes on your federal income tax return. He voted against the Republican tax law in 2017, arguing that the provision was particularly unfair to high-tax states such as New Jersey.

As a longtime member of the House of Representatives, Smith has supported efforts to cut federal spending and lower taxes. He has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Smith strongly supports U.S. military action in Iran. He has consistently praised President Donald Trump’s decision to launch strikes against Iran, arguing that Iran’s nuclear program poses a dangerous threat to the U.S. He has voted against Congressional resolutions seeking to limit military activity in Iran on multiple occasions this year.

Smith has been endorsed by the Ocean County GOP, the Monmouth County Republican Committee, the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, New Jersey Right to Life, the Family Research Council, the Susan B. Anthony List, the New Jersey’s American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the National Federation of Independent Business.

Smith did not respond to a request for a WHYY News interview.

Peace is running for Congress to make sure everyone can see the doctor when they’re sick.

“Right now, we have a very disjointed system in our country that doesn’t feel fair,” she said. “As the wealthiest nation, that’s unacceptable.”

She said she is also committed to working to lower costs for housing, food, electricity, fuel and the cost of child care must also be addressed.

“We need to relieve this burden,” she said. “When you have young kids in care up to the age of 3, it’s like you’re paying for a year of college tuition. It’s not sustainable for people.”

Peace said if she is elected she will work to improve the economy, by expanding domestic clean energy production.

“Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, there was grant money for expanding energy infrastructure, our grid, our clean energy projects,” she said. “Under the current administration, all of that money was diverted back to oil, gas and coal, which is just moving us in the wrong direction.”

She said affordable housing is another top priority.

“There are ways we can develop this responsibly, but we need the buy-in from that community, not just shoving it down their throats,” Peace said.

She said she’s concerned that the U.S. has funneled billions of dollars in aid to Israel for its military, claiming the funding has been spent without oversight.

“In 2024, our own State Department did a federal audit which said that the U.S. weapons that are being sold to Israel are being used in ways that are inconsistent with humanitarian law,” she said. “We need to look at where the dollars are going, and if the weapons that are going over there are being used in ways that are not aligned with our values as a nation.”

Peace said Congress needs to review how taxpayer money is being allocated around the world.

“We need to take a hard look at whether that money is being allocated in a way that is benefiting people,” she said. “If the folks in Israel have universal health care and we have people who can’t go to the doctor when they’re sick, there’s a disconnect there.”

Peace is opposed to the war in Iran.

“In February, we struck Iran without Congressional authorization. Why did we do this in the first place?” she said. “We should have learned a lesson to not rush into foreign conflict, especially in the Middle East, without ascertaining all of the information. We need a clear strategy, an exit plan and safeguards to protect people at home who are barely surviving.”

Peace has been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, New Jersey Citizen Action, the Health Professionals & Allied Employees Union, Shore Progress New Jersey, Our Revolution New Jersey, The New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women, Progressive Democrats of America NJ, Service Employees International Union New Jersey State Council, AIPAC Out of NJ — referring to the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee — New Jersey High School Democrats and Ocean County Democrats.