BRICK, NJ – Congressman Chris Smith is set to face a Republican primary challenger in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, as Rob Canfield, a small-business owner and firearms instructor from Brick, officially launched his campaign with a pledge to fight rising costs, financial burdens, and what he calls Washington’s bias toward institutions over families.
Canfield, framing his bid as a reform movement against “career politicians,” said his campaign will focus on four main priorities: gun rights, student-loan reform, credit-card interest caps, and relief from the region’s growing cost-of-living pressures. “The systems in Washington are working great—for banks, for universities, and for career politicians,” Canfield said in his announcement. “But families here in NJ-4 are getting crushed.”
The challenger drew a sharp contrast with Smith’s long congressional record, especially on Second Amendment issues, vowing to bring what he described as “unambiguous pro-2A leadership” to the district. “As a firearms instructor and constitutional-carry advocate, I don’t just vote the right way—I live this issue,” Canfield said.
Canfield’s platform also includes proposals to reset federal student loans to 0 percent interest and limit tuition increases for colleges receiving federal funds. He is calling for new laws to cap credit-card interest rates for federally protected lenders and eliminate “junk fees that punish working families.”
On economic issues, Canfield said his campaign would center on what he calls the “cost-of-living squeeze” across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. “Washington is thriving, but Shore families and small businesses are being squeezed from every direction,” he said. “This campaign is about guns, debt, prices, and kids—and whether we’re willing to challenge the systems driving those costs.”
Canfield, who lives in Brick with his wife and children, operates a real estate and training business. His challenge sets up a potentially contentious Republican primary against Smith, one of New Jersey’s longest-serving members of Congress.
Key Points: Chris Smith faces GOP primary challenge from Rob Canfield in New Jersey’s 4th District – Brick
- Rob Canfield, a Brick businessman and firearms instructor, announced a Republican primary challenge to Rep. Chris Smith
- His campaign focuses on gun rights, student-loan and credit reform, and relief from rising living costs
- Canfield says Washington policies favor institutions over working families and small businesses in the Shore region
