The last red holdout: a drive across NJ’s lone Republican district

<p>New Jersey is left with only one Republican congressional district after the November midterm elections.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 29, 2018, 12:48 AM

Updated 1,994 days ago

Share:

New Jersey is left with only one Republican congressional district after the November midterm elections.
The voters of District 4 helped Rep. Chris Smith withstand the so-called “blue wave” that came through New Jersey on Election Day.
Voters told News 12 New Jersey that it was an easy decision to make. 
“I’m so tired of hearing about Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. I voted for [President Donald Trump.] But I also voted for [Barack Obama] the first time he ran and I realized I was wrong,” said one Hamilton Township voter.
Rep. Smith has represented District 4 since 1981. Many district residents say that they recognize and know the congressman.
But several other long-term Republican congressmen were ousted in New Jersey. So what made District 4 so different?
Political experts say that one clue may be the district’s borders, like the line between Hamilton Township and Trenton. District 4’s borders do not really have any urban areas – areas that are historically more Democratic. The border stretches across the Interstate 195 Corridor through Mercer Monmouth and Ocean counties. It is 85 percent white and largely suburban.


More from News 12
1:26
Police: Crash between car and school bus in Yonkers injures 4, including child

Police: Crash between car and school bus in Yonkers injures 4, including child

1:49
Wet weather ahead for the Hudson Valley

Wet weather ahead for the Hudson Valley

 Young game developer from Westchester launches new video game

Young game developer from Westchester launches new video game

1:20
$127 million in state funding going to police departments across Hudson Valley to improve public safety

$127 million in state funding going to police departments across Hudson Valley to improve public safety

0:32
Police: 4 hurt in crash at Spring Valley intersection where child was struck last week

Police: 4 hurt in crash at Spring Valley intersection where child was struck last week

1:44
Who won NY's 16th Congressional district debate on News 12? Depends on who you ask.

Who won NY's 16th Congressional district debate on News 12? Depends on who you ask.

Yonkers Police Department host series of events during National Police Week

Yonkers Police Department host series of events during National Police Week

1:25
Double shooting leaves 1 dead in Newburgh, police seek public's help to make arrest

Double shooting leaves 1 dead in Newburgh, police seek public's help to make arrest

0:36
Hudson Valley Red Lobster locations abruptly close, workers say staff turned away without notice

Hudson Valley Red Lobster locations abruptly close, workers say staff turned away without notice

0:18
Body found in Hudson River near Marlboro Yacht Club

Body found in Hudson River near Marlboro Yacht Club

3:37
Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

0:50
City of Poughkeepsie Police Department faces staffing crisis

City of Poughkeepsie Police Department faces staffing crisis

54:48
WATCH: Rep. Bowman and Westchester County Executive Latimer debate in race for 16th Congressional District

WATCH: Rep. Bowman and Westchester County Executive Latimer debate in race for 16th Congressional District

2:41
Made in the Hudson Valley: An American Dream comes true through Laura's Boutique and Bridal

Made in the Hudson Valley: An American Dream comes true through Laura's Boutique and Bridal

0:19
$8 million allocated for pedestrian safety improvements in Ramapo

$8 million allocated for pedestrian safety improvements in Ramapo

0:18
Yonkers park to get $500,000 make-over and first upgrades in 35 years

Yonkers park to get $500,000 make-over and first upgrades in 35 years

1:01
Headlines: Pedestrian killed, suspects sought in hit-and-run, supermarket pepper spray incident

Headlines: Pedestrian killed, suspects sought in hit-and-run, supermarket pepper spray incident

1:44
White Plains Jewish Agency unveils memorial for massacre victims

White Plains Jewish Agency unveils memorial for massacre victims

0:39
Traffic Alert: Overnight roadwork in New Rochelle

Traffic Alert: Overnight roadwork in New Rochelle