The NJ State Building & Construction Trades Council today announced its endorsement of Representative Chris Smith for re-election in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, which covers parts of Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties.

“Congressman Smith has been a long-time supporter of building trades issues that are critical to the lives and well-being of our members and their families,” said William T. Mullen, President of the 150,000 member, statewide council. “He has been a proven defender of strong prevailing wage laws and other workers’ rights initiatives and has demonstrated a bipartisan approach to governing and legislation that is sorely needed in today’s hyper-partisan political environment.”

A Republican, Smith is currently serving his 19th term as representative from the 4th District. He currently ranks second among all 435 members of the House over the last two decades in the number of bills he has authored that have been passed into law (some 42).

He serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is chairman of its Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights & International Organizations.