Why Congressman Chris Smith is running for reelection

Congressman Chris Smith has had a very consequential career in the House of Representatives. His accomplishments, a few of which he discusses in this video, are very impressive. When I asked him why he is seeking a 20th term, Smith launched into a passionate litany of the difference his work has made for his constituents in New Jersey, the world, and his passion for the work yet to be done. Read the rest of this entry »

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Congressman Smith is unopposed in the GOP Primary

Congressman Chris Smith

Congressman Chris Smith is the only Republican from the 4th Congressional District who submitted nominating petitions to the New Jersey Division of Elections before the deadline yesterday and will be unopposed for the GOP nomination in the June 5th primary. Read the rest of this entry »

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Trump says he’s considering closing the government because Dems blocked Dreamer protections and border wall

President Donald Trump tweeted that he is considering veto of the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that will keep the government funded because Democrats blocked his proposal to protect the country’s 800,000 dreamers—illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children.

I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill based on the fact that the 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by the Democrats (not even mentioned in Bill) and the BORDER WALL, which is desperately needed for our National Defense, is not fully funded.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2018

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Pallone voted against Gateway project funding

Congressman Frank Pallone

Congressman Frank Pallone broke from the bipartisan majority of the New Jersey delegation to vote against the federal omnibus spending bill which includes $540 million in funding for the Gateway project–the proposed new tunnel under the Hudson River–that has been touted as a critical infrastructure project for both the regional and national economy.

But you wouldn’t know that Phony Pallone voted against the bill if you visited his congressional website.  There he touts as accomplishments pet projects of his that were included in the bill– a whole $1.5 million in brownfields funding to assist small communities, tribes, and rural or disadvantaged areas and special recognition for a Woodbridge site to become a park with 7000 feet of trails and a 800 foot boardwalk.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth County Freeholders Endorse Bob Hugin For U.S. Senate

Bob Hugin, center, with Freeholder Pat Impreveduto, left, and Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberg, right

The Monmouth County Republican Committee is holding a convention tonight, March 15, VFW Post 2179 on Rt 36 in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.  The purpose of the convention is to endorse candidates for the United States Senate and for the House of Representatives in the 6th Congressional District.

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, Deputy Director Lillian Burry, and Freeholders Patrick Impreveduto and Gerry Scharfenberger issued the following joint statement endorsing Bob Hugin for the Republican nomination to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate: Read the rest of this entry »

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Pallone and Pelosi block hope for terminally ill patients

Congressman Frank Pallone

Congressman Frank Pallone and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi rallied House Democrats to block the passage of legislation supported by President Trump that would allow terminally ill patients to try to extend their lives by using experimental drugs that have not been approved by the FDA.

President Trump called for the “right to try” legislation in his State of the Union Address.  The U.S. Senate passed the bill unanimously and there is bi-partisan support for the bill in the House.

The bill was up for a ‘fast track’ vote in the House on Tuesday, which requires passage with votes from two-thirds of the chamber.  The vote was 250 aye to 140 no, falling short of the two-thirds requirement. Read the rest of this entry »

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Welle Files His Financial Disclosure Report

Congressional Candidate’s Disclosure Raises More Questions

Congressional Candidate Josh Welle

Josh Welle, address unknown, the Democrat endorsed by the Monmouth and Ocean Democrats to run against Congressman Chris Smith in the 4th Congressional District, filed his Financial Disclosure Report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives on Sunday, March 11.  MMM reported on Saturday March 10 that Welle was over four months late in filing the report, a violation of the Ethics in Government Act that could result in a fine up to $58,000.

Welle has not explained why he did not file the report as required in October of 2017.  Nor is it clear that the report filed on Sunday brings him into compliance.   Welle reached the $5000 fund raising threshold that triggered the requirement of the report within thirty days on September 29, 2017. He was then required to disclose his assets and sources of income of more than $5,000 for 2016 and 2017 within thirty days.  The report filed yesterday indicated that it is for the year 2017 but also indicates that it covers the period of January 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018.  The disclosures of income and assets seem to be for 2017 and YTD 2018. Read the rest of this entry »

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Welle Wins Ocean Dems’ endorsement to challenge Congressman Chris Smith

As expected, the Ocean County Democrats endorsed Joshua Welle over former Asbury Park Councilman Jim Keady for the nomination to challenge Congressman Chris Smith in the 4th Congressional District, at their Mini-Convention in Bayville this afternooon.  InsiderNJ reports that Welle was the choice of 46 mini-delegates to Keady’s 16.

Welle will have the ‘party line’ on the June 5 primary ballot in both Ocean and Monmouth Counties.  That means his name will be bracketed in the same ballot column as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, each county’s freeholder candidates and the party endorsed municipal candidates.  The Mercer County Dems have not yet awarded their endorsement. Hamilton and Robbinsville are the only Mercer County communities that are in CD-4.

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What is Josh Welle hiding? Congressional candidate is in violation of the Ethics in Government Act

The front runner for the Democrat nomination to run against Congressman Chris Smith in the 4th Congressional District has failed to file his Financial Disclosure Report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Josh Welle, address unknown, won the endorsement to challenge Congressman Smith at the Monmouth County Democrat Mini-Convention last weekend when he earned 60% of the delegates’ votes to 40% for former Asbury Park Councilman Jim Keady.  Welle is heavily favored to win the Ocean County endorsement at a Mini-Convention on Sunday afternoon, March 11 at Central Regional High School in Bayville. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hugin Wins Ocean GOP Endorsement, Goldberg loses endorsements he didn’t have

Bob Hugin accepts the endorsement for U.S. Senate from the Ocean GOP. Chairman George Gilmore in the background. photo by Mike Ward

Former Celgene CEO Bob Hugin won the U.S. Senate endorsement of the Ocean County Republican Party tonight in Toms River, defeating the Ocean GOP’s 2014 nominee, Brian Goldberg, by a margin of 142-12.

“Ocean County delivers the highest number of Republican votes of any county in New Jersey and we are fully behind Bob Hugin,” said OCGOP Chairman George Gilmore. “We need a Senator that New Jersey can be proud of again, and we are confident Bob is that person.  We will deliver for Bob and all of our GOP candidates on November 6th.”

“I’m honored and proud to receive the formal endorsement of the Ocean County Republican Organization,” said Bob Hugin. “My parents instilled in me the values of service to community and country at a young age.  I’ve lived those values as a US Marine and business leader, and will do the same as our next United States Senator.”  Read the rest of this entry »

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