On November 3, voters in NJ-04 will choose who represents forty towns across Ocean and Monmouth counties in Congress. Here's who's on the ballot, where they stand, and what's on the record.
AT A GLANCE:
COMPARE THE CANDIDATES
RACHEL PEACE
BACKGROUND:
Shore native, millennial, single mom raising her son here.
YEARS IN OFFICE:
None yet. Not a career politician.
RESIDENCE:
Shore native. Born at Monmouth Medical Center. Her family purchased a home in the Herbertsville section of Brick in the 90’s. Graduated Brick Memorial Highschool 2010. Currently resides in a rental apartment in Wall where she’s raising her 6 year old son.
FUNDING
50.99% Small Individual Contributions. No corporate PAC money, no foreign lobby contributions, no billionaire donors. Source.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Active community member and advocate before ever running for office. Since running, has been meeting constituents where they’re at in every part of the district. Three town halls on the books.
CHRIS SMITH
BACKGROUND:
Has been in Congress since 1981.
YEARS IN OFFICE:
45 years. Tied for the longest tenured member of the House of Representatives. Longest tenured member of the NJ Congressional delegation.
RESIDENCE:
Lives in a family home in Herndon, Virginia purchased in the 1980’s. Daughter qualified for In-State VA tuition. Maintains a co-op address in Manchester to qualify as an NJ Rep.
FUNDING:
14 % Small donors. 33.71% PAC contributions. 49.56% Large Individual Contributions. Source.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Last known town hall was in 1993. Reports of a Lymes-Disease specific event held in 2010.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Healthcare & families
Rachel: Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Everyone should be able to see a doctor when they're sick. She's pushed county commissioners to pass resolutions protecting programs that keep kids healthy and fed.
Smith: Calls himself pro-life, but [VERIFY: voted for the 2025 budget reconciliation law, which cut Medicaid and SNAP — confirm vote and cite]. Rachel's view: you can't call yourself pro-family while cutting kids' doctor visits and meals.
Storms, flooding & the environment
Rachel: Shore towns pay the price for stronger storms and rising flood insurance. She's worked with local environmental groups to hold polluters accountable and urged state lawmakers to make big oil, not taxpayers, pay to prepare for future hurricanes.
Smith: [VERIFY: record on FEMA funding and clean air/ocean protections, per the About page claim that he "said nothing" when they were cut. Cite specific votes or statements.]
Cost of living
Rachel: Freezing costs isn't enough; we need to lower them. Livable wages that keep up with inflation, and real reform on housing, childcare and tuition.
Smith: [VERIFY: votes on the 2017 and 2025 tax laws. Cite.] Rachel's view: 45 years of trickle-down hasn't trickled down to the Shore.
Seniors & veterans
Rachel: Protect Social Security and senior programs from new attacks, and make major investments in veterans' care and in infrastructure for an aging population.
Smith: Chaired the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in the early 2000s [VERIFY dates]. [VERIFY: recent votes affecting Social Security, Medicare or senior programs.]
Corruption & democracy
Rachel: Takes no corporate PAC money. Supports comprehensive campaign finance reform and expanded civil rights protections.
Smith: [VERIFY: PAC contributions from FEC filings, and position on campaign finance reform.]
Data centers & A.I.
Rachel: Supports a nationwide freeze on new data center construction, consumer protections and government oversight of A.I.
Smith: [VERIFY: any public position. If none, cut this row or say "No public position found."]
The difference:
Chris Smith has had 45 years to make life better at the Shore. Costs are up. Flood insurance is up. Our towns are still waiting.
Rachel Peace is doing the work now, between preschool drop-off and pickup, before she's ever held office. She's a neighbor, not a career politician, and she isn't taking a dime of corporate PAC money.
The Shore deserves someone who lives our life. That's Rachel.