[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS
Legislative Integrity Monitor
Goblin House Intelligence
Congress → Officials → Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican · Representative, NJ ·4

Christopher H. Smith is the Republican U.S. Representative (NJ's 4th congressional district). The platform has 2 voting records on file (2021) and 44 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components
58 MODERATE
Connection Density 20%
41 → 8
Donor Influence 15%
15 → 2
Silence Risk 25%
69 → 17
Contradiction Risk 25%
89 → 22
Intelligence Volume 15%
62 → 9
Constituency Deviation 0%
22 → 0
Voting Misalignment 0%
0 → 0
% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Cook Partisan Voting Index: R+14 (Wikipedia 2023) / R+36 (LegisLetter 2026); Trump won the district by 10+ points in 2020
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: SALT Deduction Usage: 42% of NJ taxpayers use the SALT deduction (highest in the nation); average SALT deduction in Smith's district: $18,355
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Medicaid Enrollment (NJ-4): Ocean County: 168,437 recipients (2nd highest in NJ); Monmouth County: 83,117; 1.8 million NJ residents rely on NJ FamilyCare (18% of state population)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median Age: 40.8 years (vs. 38.5 nationally)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Racial/Ethnic Composition: White (Non-Hispanic) 81.9%, Hispanic 11.1%, Black or African American 3.3%, Asian 2.5%, Two or More Races 2.7%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 40.3% (vs. 33.7% nationally)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership Rate: 79.5% (vs. 65.5% nationally); median home value $461,100; median rent $1,749
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty Rate: 6.0% (vs. 12.4% nationally)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median Household Income: $99,155 (vs. $78,538 national median); Census Bureau: $103,769
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population (2024): 788,486
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: New Jersey Public Question 2 (2021) — Allow organizations to use raffle proceeds for their own purposes (2021) — passed, margin 61.9% Yes — 38.1% No
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: New Jersey Public Question 1 (2021) — Permit sports betting on college teams; expand charitable gaming (2021) — passed, margin 57.6% Yes — 42.4% No
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 61 (Educational Services — including Lakewood's large private school network) (share 9)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 72 (Accommodation and Food Services — tourism, Jersey Shore) (share 9)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 44-45 (Retail Trade) (share 12)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 62 (Health Care and Social Assistance) (share 16)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Monmouth County Government (4000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Bais Medrash Govoah (Lakewood yeshiva) (1000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Six Flags Great Adventure (4000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: RWJBarnabas Health (Monmouth Medical Center, Community Medical Center) (38000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
Donald Trump political opposition Trump threatened to endorse a primary challenger against Smith after Smith voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and Smith also voted against…
Steve Bannon vote Smith voted against holding Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the January 6th Select Committee.
Mike Johnson fundraising In October 2024, Smith helped raise over $500,000 at a Lakewood fundraiser headlined by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $10,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C…
Transport Workers Union PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00727719/
American Revival PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00639229/
Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans (Emmer PAC) donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00592089/
Citizens Strengthening Our Message In The House donor $6,600 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00524322/
Alzheimer'S Impact Movement PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00486928/
Covington And Burling LLP PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00462630/
Huck PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00448373/
National Elevator Constructors PAC (Nec PAC) donor $6,500 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00383950/
Susan B Anthony List Inc. Candidate Fund donor $10,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (4 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C…
Allied Pilots Association Political Action Committee donor $10,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (5 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C…
National Air Traffic Controllers Assoc PAC donor $6,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (4 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00238725/
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union No.9 donor $10,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C…
The Caterpillar Inc. Employee Political Action Committee donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00148031/
American Road & Transportation Builders Association PAC donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00118208/
National Active And Retired Federal Employess Association PAC (Narfe donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00091561/
Masters, Mates And Pilots Political Contribution Fund donor $5,000 to Christopher H. Smith's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00073056/
BillVoteDateAlignment
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Water Resources Development Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
PROOF Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Retire through Ownership Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
GUARD Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act Yea 2026-09-03 unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require… Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
AGOA Extension Act Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Local Access to Courts Act Yea 2026-08-31 unknown
Last contradiction analysis: Never
reversal 90/100
Platform: "Smith is the author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and five subsequent anti-human-trafficking laws. He has been celebrated as a global leader in combating violence against women and girls."
Vote: on "Smith voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2013. He objected…"
Smith is celebrated internationally as the author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, yet voted against the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization because it included protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and Native American tribes. Critics argue his anti-trafficking record is undermined by votes against…
[ Show full analysis ]
Smith is celebrated internationally as the author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, yet voted against the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization because it included protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and Native American tribes. Critics argue his anti-trafficking record is undermined by votes against comprehensive domestic violence protections.
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "Smith voted in favor of creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6th Capitol attack, stating: 'The attack on January 6 resulted in a tragic loss of life and physical injury. One hundred and forty…
[ Show full platform position ]
Smith voted in favor of creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6th Capitol attack, stating: 'The attack on January 6 resulted in a tragic loss of life and physical injury. One hundred and forty Capitol and D.C. police officers were injured.' He was one of only 35 House Republicans to support the bill.
"
Vote: on "Smith voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. He also…"
Smith voted to create a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission and spoke forcefully about the 'tragic loss of life,' yet voted against impeaching Trump for inciting the insurrection and against holding Steve Bannon in contempt. The split earned him a 'C-' grade from Republican Accountability.
reversal 60/100
Platform: "Smith voted against H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, citing the cap on the SALT deduction as unfair to New Jersey residents. He stated the bill 'does not provide needed tax relief for New Jersey residents'…
[ Show full platform position ]
Smith voted against H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, citing the cap on the SALT deduction as unfair to New Jersey residents. He stated the bill 'does not provide needed tax relief for New Jersey residents' and fought to protect the SALT deduction.
"
Vote: on "In July 2025, Smith voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he said 'provides the largest…"
Smith voted against the 2017 Trump tax bill over SALT deduction concerns, but in 2025 voted for the Big Beautiful Bill while claiming it addressed SALT — a characterization Gov. Murphy and other NJ Democrats contested as inadequate for high-tax New Jersey.
platform_vs_vote 60/100
Platform: "Smith has been ranked the 30th most bipartisan member of the House by the Lugar Center and has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for bipartisanship. He states he 'always searched for areas of agreement to…
[ Show full platform position ]
Smith has been ranked the 30th most bipartisan member of the House by the Lugar Center and has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for bipartisanship. He states he 'always searched for areas of agreement to enact laws that make a positive difference.'
"
Vote: on "Smith voted against the Respect for Marriage Act in December 2022, which codified federal…"
Smith touts his bipartisanship, yet voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill with bipartisan support that 39 Republicans backed. His no vote aligned him with the most conservative wing of his party on an issue of personal liberty.
Last silence detection: Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:37:43 GMT (via scheduled run)
Refusal to hold in-person town halls for over three decades
12144d silent
Expected position: As the longest-serving congressman from New Jersey, Smith would be expected to hold open, in-person town hall meetings accessible to all constituents. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Multiple sources confirm Smith has not held an…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As the longest-serving congressman from New Jersey, Smith would be expected to hold open, in-person town hall meetings accessible to all constituents. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Multiple sources confirm Smith has not held an in-person town hall since approximately 1992 — a span of over 30 years. In 2017, Central Jersey Archives reported that 'Smith has not held a public town hall meeting in his district since 1992 — incredibly 25 years ago!' In February 2017, 600 people attended a constituent-organized town hall that Smith declined to attend. In March 2025, NorthJersey.com reported that New Jersey's three Republican representatives, including Smith, were not holding in-person town halls, with Smith's office not responding to requests for comment. Smith has maintained his refusal citing past 'bad behavior' at meetings. He occasionally holds tele-town halls or Facebook Live events, but constituents have consistently demanded in-person engagement. Primary URL: https://archive.centraljersey.com/2017/03/06/where-is-chris-smith/
Silence on District Medicaid concerns amid budget vote
20d silent
Expected position: As representative of a district where Ocean County alone has 168,437 Medicaid recipients — the second-highest in New Jersey — Smith would be expected to explain his vote for a budget resolution requiring $880 billion in Medicaid-related…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As representative of a district where Ocean County alone has 168,437 Medicaid recipients — the second-highest in New Jersey — Smith would be expected to explain his vote for a budget resolution requiring $880 billion in Medicaid-related cuts. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Smith voted for the House budget resolution on February 25, 2025. On March 18, 2025, dozens of protesters picketed outside his Toms River office demanding he protect Medicaid and Medicare. Signs read 'When Is Our Town Hall? Are you even listening?' Smith sent a letter to constituents describing Medicaid as 'vital for New Jersey's low-income families, seniors and the disabled' while defending his vote. He did not host a town hall to discuss these concerns directly with constituents who protested outside his office. Primary URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/ocean-county/2025/03/18/protestors-rep-smith-must-protect-medicaid-medicare-from-trump/82523618007/
ideological & single-issue
Susan B Anthony List Inc. Candidate Fund (amounts: $10,000 (2026)) — interest area: ideological & single-issue
other / unclassified
Alzheimer'S Impact Movement PAC, American Revival PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: other / unclassified
other candidates' committees
Huck PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2024)) — interest area: other candidates' committees
colleagues' leadership pacs
Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans (Emmer PAC), Citizens Strengthening Our Message In The House (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $6,600 (2024)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2026)
Transport Workers Union PAC Labor unions $5,000 (2024)
American Revival PAC Other / unclassified $5,000 (2026)
Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans (Emmer PAC) Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Citizens Strengthening Our Message In The House Colleagues' leadership PACs $6,600 (2024)
Alzheimer'S Impact Movement PAC Other / unclassified $5,000 (2024)
Covington And Burling LLP PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2024)
Huck PAC Other candidates' committees $5,000 (2024)
National Elevator Constructors PAC (Nec PAC) Labor unions $6,500 (2024)
Susan B Anthony List Inc. Candidate Fund Ideological & single-issue $10,000 (2026)
Allied Pilots Association Political Action Committee Labor unions $5,000 (2026)
National Air Traffic Controllers Assoc PAC Labor unions $6,000 (2026)
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union No.9 Labor unions $10,000 (2024)
The Caterpillar Inc. Employee Political Action Committee Transportation & auto $5,000 (2024)
American Road & Transportation Builders Association PAC Real estate & construction $5,000 (2024)
TopicPriorityAlignmentDeviation
Healthcare Access and Medicaid/ACA Protections 88 45 43
Environmental Protection and Coastal Conservation 76 70 30
Government Accountability and Ethics Reform 65 72 28
Infrastructure, Transportation, and Gateway Tunnel 80 75 25
Women's Sports and Social/Cultural Policy 70 78 22
Social Security and Medicare Preservation 90 78 22
SALT Deduction and Federal Tax Policy 92 80 20
Disaster Relief and Coastal/Flood Resilience 85 82 18
January 6 Investigation and Democratic Accountability 62 85 15
Foreign Policy and Israel/Taiwan Security 68 85 15
Veterans' Services and Military Affairs 74 88 12
Immigration and Border Security 82 88 12
No platform commitments archived
No committee memberships recorded
Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

ComponentWeightSignal
Contradiction Risk30%Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence20%Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density20%Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk15%Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume15%Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation0%Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment0%Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]
Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains, while 1 elected official holds documented connections.
$1.9BDonor Contributions
0Money Chains
0Traced Hops
Connected Officials
Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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