Posted by Jed Lewison on Wed Oct 22, 2008 at 11:36 AM Pacific

NJ-04: Wingnut Congressman Caught Claiming VA Residence

One of my closest friends alerts me to a campaign being waged by a friend of his, Josh Zeitz, in New Jersey.

Josh is the the Democratic challenger to Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey's fifth district, which has Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1. Smith, a thirteen term Congressman, is an absolute loony wingnut, especially on the issues of reproductive freedom. He wants to investigate Planned Parenthood for child abuse and believes the birth control pill should be outlawed.

There's only thirteen days left in the campaign, but of late, Smith has been doing everything possible to give Josh a chance at an upset victory. The big issue: it turns out that Chris Smith doesn't really live in New Jersey at all -- at least not according to documents his family filed in order to secure a tuition break for his daughter's education in Virginia.

Today, Zeitz sent a letter to New Jersey election officials seeking the immediate removal of Smith from the ballot.

Zeitz's task is a tough one, but in a year like 2008, if Zeitz, whose campaign focus has been on economic issues, is able to get the message out about Smith's abandonment of his home district, this race may be winnable yet.

NJ-04: Wingnut Congressman Caught Claiming VA Residence

One of my closest friends alerts me to a campaign being waged by a friend of his, Josh Zeitz, in New Jersey.

Josh is the the Democratic challenger to Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey's fifth district, which has Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1. Smith, a thirteen term Congressman, is an absolute loony wingnut, especially on the issues of reproductive freedom. He wants to investigate Planned Parenthood for child abuse and believes the birth control pill should be outlawed.

There's only thirteen days left in the campaign, but of late, Smith has been doing everything possible to give Josh a chance at an upset victory. The big issue: it turns out that Chris Smith doesn't really live in New Jersey at all -- at least not according to documents his family filed in order to secure a tuition break for his daughter's education in Virginia.

Today, Zeitz sent a letter to New Jersey election officials seeking the immediate removal of Smith from the ballot.

Zeitz's task is a tough one, but in a year like 2008, if Zeitz, whose campaign focus has been on economic issues, is able to get the message out about Smith's abandonment of his home district, this race may be winnable yet.

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