Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) added over $500,000 to boost House Republican coffers this morning at a Lakewood fundraiser headlined by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The breakfast was held at the home of Dr. Richard Roberts, a wealthy philanthropist and retired pharmaceutical company owner who is a close friend and political ally of Smith.
Most of the funds raised were from Roberts, who is contributing $500,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and Johnson’s political action committee, the Congressional Leadership Fund. The donation is being made on behalf of Smith; that means the 22-term congressman from Ocean County is credited with raising the funds for House Republicans.
“When the House Republican majority was in serious chaos over the selection of a Speaker, only Mike Johnson demonstrated the skill, tenacity, courage, and vision to unite the party,” Smith said. “He is a brilliant policymaker who has great compassion and empathy for the weakest and most vulnerable. Israel — and human rights defenders worldwide — have no better friend and ally than Speaker Johnson.”
Two years ago, Smith brought then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarty to Roberts’ home for a fundraiser.
Smith holds the record as the longest-serving congressman in New Jersey history. He was elected in 1980, at age 27, when he unseated 13-term Rep. Frank Thompson, Jr. (D-Trenton).
He holds a safe Republican seat in 2024 in a rematch with Democrat Matt Jenkins. Smith beat Jenkins by a 2-1 margin in 2022.
