CD4

February 28, 2008 - 8:07pm

Zeitz thinks he can ride the Democratic wave against Smith

By Matt Friedman
Tags: Chris Smith, CD4, Josh Zeitz

With at least 200,000 newly registered Democrats appearing on the voter roles after this month’s primary, a new hope has arisen in Democrat Josh Zeitz’s campaign to unseat long-time incumbent Republican Chris Smith.

Zeitz estimates that 20,000 of those new Democrats will be in his district, which is comprised of four counties: Ocean, Burlington, Monmouth and Mercer. As of the last count, the district was made up of 17% Democrats, 22% Republicans, and 61% unaffiliated voters. Adding 20,000 new Democrats to the rolls will make party registration in the district roughly equal. Zeitz campaign manager Steve D’Amico added that the district is getting younger, with about 60% of the residents under 50.

“In this kind of atmosphere, in a year that Democrats are surging with these resources, party parity will make the difference. It provides the winning margin,” said Zeitz, 34.

But Smith says he’s heard this from opponents before. He heard it from Brian Hughes just after redistricting in 1992; and from Reed Gusciora, who promised to run an aggressive campaign in 2000. And now, Smith says, he represents the most heavily Republican district he’s had since entering the House in 1981.

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Poll

Of the Republicans who mulled U.S. Senate bids, who would have run strongest against Frank Lautenberg?
Kip Bateman
5%
John Crowley
18%
Anne Evans Estabrook
10%
Joe Kyrillos
30%
Joe Pennacchio
20%
Murray Sabrin
5%
Andy Unanue
8%
Dick Zimmer
5%

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