Earp endorses Schmid in NJ-4 primary

Ocean County Democratic Chairman Wyatt Earp has endorsed Stephanie Schmid for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 4th district.

Schmid narrowly defeated Christine Conforti to win the Ocean Democratic organization line at the March convention.

Democratic Chair Cathy Russell and State Committeewoman Marta Harrison, a former mayor of Lakewood, have also formally endorsed Schmid.

“Stephanie has stepped up and has shown community members throughout Ocean County that she is dedicated to listening to their needs and that she is committed to putting in the work to help bring change at every level of government,” the three Democratic leaders said. “Stephanie and her team helped campaign for local candidates up and down the ballot in Ocean County last fall, which was greatly appreciated.”

Schmid, a former U.S. Department of State official, faces Conforti and David Applefield for the chance to take on 20-term Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton).

On January 3,2021, Smith is set to tie Rep. Peter W. Rodino’s record for the greatest number of years in the House.  If he’s re-elected this year, he’ll break the record as soon as he takes the oath of office for his 21st term in Congress.

With 22,296 more Republicans than Democrats, the 4th is the only House district in New Jersey to become more Republican over the last decade.  When the last map was drawn after the 2010 census, the district had 12,193 more Republicans than Democrats.

The 4th is also the only congressional district in the state where Republicans outnumber Democrats.

Smith was first elected to Congress in 1980, at age 27, after thirteen-term Rep. Frank B. Thompson, Jr. (D-Trenton) was indicted as part of the Abscam scandal.  Smith won, 57%-41%, in a district that Ronald Reagan carried by three points.

Democrats thought they had a shot at beating Smith last year when Democrat Josh Welle raised $1.8 million, the often underestimated GOP congressman raised $1.5 million and won by 12 percentage points.