Matthew Jenkins - Ballotpedia

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Matthew Jenkins (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 4th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Matthew Jenkins was born in South Amboy, New Jersey. He earned an associate degree from Ocean County College in 1991 and a bachelor's degree from Rutgers College in 1995. His career experience includes working in biomedical research and as a business owner.^[1]^[2]

Elections

2024

See also: New Jersey's 4th Congressional District election, 2024

New Jersey's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)

New Jersey's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Incumbent Chris Smith defeated Matthew Jenkins, John Morrison, and Barry Bendar in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Smith (R)	67.4	265,652
		Matthew Jenkins (D)	31.7	124,803
		John Morrison (L)	0.5	1,950
		Barry Bendar (G)	0.5	1,823

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 394,228
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Matthew Jenkins advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matthew Jenkins	100.0	25,389

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,389
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Pam Daniels (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Incumbent Chris Smith defeated David Schmidt in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Smith	84.7	36,219
		David Schmidt	15.3	6,538

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 42,757
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Jenkins in this election.

2022

See also: New Jersey's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Smith (R)	66.9	173,288
		Matthew Jenkins (D)	31.4	81,233
		Jason Cullen (L)	0.7	1,902
		David Schmidt (We the People)	0.5	1,197
		Hank Schroeder (Independent)	0.3	905
		Pam Daniels (Progress with Pam)	0.2	437

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 258,962
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Matthew Jenkins advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matthew Jenkins	100.0	20,655

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,655
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Incumbent Chris Smith defeated Mike Crispi, Steve Gray, and Mike Blasi (Unofficially withdrew) in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 4 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Smith	57.8	33,136
		Mike Crispi	36.8	21,115
		Steve Gray	4.0	2,305
		Mike Blasi (Unofficially withdrew)	1.3	751

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 57,307
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 2, 2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Matthew Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jenkins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Matt Jenkins was born in New Jersey, raised in Toms River, and now residing with his partner Alison and her children Max and Leo in Monmouth County, the heart of the 4th Congressional District.

Matt attended public school in the Toms River School District K-12. He attended Ocean County Community College before completing his degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

He spent years working in biomedical research before opening a custom furniture shop and growing his company into a General Contracting business building residential homes for families across the tri-state area.

While challenging in so many ways, the last few years have pushed Matt to do more for his community. After years of activism and community service, Matt is ready to represent NJ-04 and tackle today’s problems.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The GOP is looking to control and subjugate half the population. It is time to codify Roe into federal law for the safety of all women across this country.
We are all equal under the law. Equality is only achieved through the freedom to control our own bodies, lives, and futures.
Birth control is health care. Affordable access to birth control is a right, not a privilege.
Healthcare is a decision between a patient and their doctor. The government has no business in the exam room.
We have rebuilt the most robust economy in the world and created more than 15 million jobs, but everyday living is still too expensive. Corporate consolidation is driving up prices. 4 Companies control all meat packing in the US. 2 are not even US companies. 4 Companies make most of the baby formula. Do you remember that shortage? Corporations are vacuuming up single-family homes, artificially driving up prices. We must stand with small businesses. This is where more than half of all American jobs come from. Let’s work to bring more jobs to New Jersey.
Changing jobs, starting a business, or going to school should not hinder you from having healthcare. It is time to move towards a healthcare system that works for all Americans. Create a single-payer option and allow Americans to buy into it. Continue bringing down the costs of Rx drugs. The same drug sold to Americans should not be cheaper across the border. Negotiate drug prices within Medicare and use the savings for the Child Tax Credit.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Violent crime is rising, and the law enforcement officers expected to protect us are under-staffed, under-resourced, and outgunned – all because Republicans have voted against investing in local law enforcement. On top of that we must pass comprehensive legislation to protect our communities from senseless violence.

Raise the age for semi-automatic weapons to 21.
Close dangerous loopholes where domestic abusers, convicted felons, or fugitives can skip background checks when buying guns.
Use red flag laws as a tool to empower our communities and law enforcement to restrict someone who is dangerous access to weapons.
Expand mental health and supportive services in schools

Support safe storage laws such as the Child Access Prevention Law.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Members of the U.S. Congress should embody several key characteristics and principles to effectively serve their constituents and fulfill their legislative duties:

Integrity: A commitment to honesty and ethical behavior is essential for building trust with constituents and colleagues.

Public Service Orientation: A genuine desire to serve the public and improve the lives of constituents is crucial.

Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary for conveying ideas, advocating for policies, and engaging with the public.

Bipartisanship: The ability to work across party lines and collaborate with others is important for effective governance.

Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills help in understanding complex issues, evaluating policies, and making informed decisions.

Constituent Engagement: Actively listening to and representing the views and needs of constituents is vital.

Adaptability: The political landscape can change rapidly, so flexibility and openness to new ideas are important.

Commitment to Accountability: Being answerable to constituents and transparent in decision-making fosters trust and responsibility.

Passion for Issues: A strong interest in specific issues can drive effective advocacy and policymaking.

Knowledge of Government Processes: Understanding the legislative process, rules, and procedures helps navigate Congress effectively.

These characteristics help ensure that members of Congress can represent their constituents well and contribute positively to the legislative process.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Members of Congress have several core responsibilities that are crucial to their role in the legislative branch of government. These include:

Legislation: Proposing, debating, and voting on new laws. This involves drafting bills and working through the legislative process.

Representation: Serving the interests and needs of their constituents. This includes listening to concerns, advocating for local issues, and ensuring constituents have a voice in government.

Oversight: Monitoring and evaluating the actions of the executive branch and other federal agencies to ensure they are implementing laws effectively and within legal boundaries.

Constituent Services: Assisting constituents with issues related to federal agencies, such as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, or immigration.

Advocacy: Promoting policies and initiatives that benefit their district or state, often through collaboration with various stakeholders.

Budgeting and Appropriations: Participating in the federal budget process, including funding decisions that affect government operations and services.

Committee Work: Serving on committees that focus on specific issues (e.g., finance, foreign affairs) to conduct hearings, gather information, and shape legislation.

Constituent Communication: Keeping constituents informed about legislative activities and decisions through town halls, newsletters, and social media.

Negotiation: Engaging in discussions and compromises with other lawmakers to achieve legislative goals.

Engagement with State and Local Issues: Addressing issues specific to their districts and collaborating with local governments and organizations.

These responsibilities are vital for ensuring that Congress functions effectively and remains responsive to the needs of the American people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Iranian hostage crisis is the first event I remember and I was 8 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway. I was sucked immediately into the story and I can remember the first time I read it, I was standing on a subway platform plowing through the book. Someone came up to me and tapped my shoulder and said, "good book?" I barely looked up and said, "yes it is!!"

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House of Representatives is the only governmental body that is elected every 2 years. It is the only branch that is representational by population in a state and it uses a committee structure to move legislation through to bills. The House controls the purse strings providing funding for our government; another unique quality.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think government or political experience can be beneficial, but it is not a requirement. I feel I can bring a unique set of skills and my work experience to the floor of the House and I will truly represent the people of New Jersey's 4th.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Two years is too short to effectively govern and spend all o your time campaigning.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I've had the opportunity to get to know many of New Jersey's representatives on the campaign trail and appreciate the work and accomplishments of Andy Kim, Frank Pallone, Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I've heard many extraordinary stories from people in our district. Recently, I spent time with residents of a tent city in Toms River. They are human beings with rich histories, simply trying to live with dignity. It was eye-opening to see how easily one can end up in such circumstances. These individuals expressed immense gratitude for the space they have to call home. I am committed to doing more for this community.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Members of Congress used to work together and make compromises. The border bill was a compromise with Democrats and a few Republicans, but it was shot down due to political pandering for an election instead of getting the real work done. We need to do better for the American people and work toward real goals, we need to find areas of compromise and places both sides can agree.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Congress should use its investigative powers judiciously and responsibly to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. Here are some key ways to effectively utilize these powers:

Oversight of the Executive Branch: Congress should investigate the implementation of laws, ensuring that federal agencies operate within their legal bounds and use funds appropriately.

Addressing Public Concerns: Investigations can help address issues that significantly impact constituents, such as public health crises, corruption, or abuses of power.

Fact-Finding: Conducting hearings and investigations to gather facts on complex issues helps inform legislation and public policy decisions.

Transparency and Accountability: Investigative powers can promote transparency in government, holding officials accountable for their actions and decisions.

Bipartisan Cooperation: Engaging in investigations that have broad support across party lines can foster cooperation and build trust within Congress and with the public.

Protecting Civil Liberties: Investigating potential violations of rights and liberties helps safeguard democracy and protect citizens from government overreach.

Using Subpoenas Wisely: When necessary, Congress can issue subpoenas to compel testimony and obtain documents, but this should be done thoughtfully to respect individuals' rights and avoid politicization.

Public Reporting: Investigations should culminate in clear, accessible reports that inform the public about findings and recommendations, enhancing civic engagement.

Following Ethical Standards: Conducting investigations with integrity and professionalism helps maintain the credibility of Congress and its findings.

Balancing Interests: Congress should be mindful of balancing its investigative responsibilities with the need for a functional relationship with the executive branch.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Moms Demand Action

New Jersey Citizen Action Network
Garden State Equality
New Jersey Young Democrats
Monmouth County Democrats

Ocean County Democrats

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Jenkins’ campaign website stated the following:

“

Gun Reform

Violent crime is rising, and the law enforcement officers expected to protect us are under-staffed, under-resourced, and outgunned – all because Republicans have voted against investing in local law enforcement. On top of that we must pass comprehensive legislation to protect our communities from senseless violence.

Raise the age for semi-automatic weapons to 21.
Close dangerous loopholes where domestic abusers, convicted felons, or fugitives can skip background checks when buying guns.
Use red flag laws as a tool to empower our communities and law enforcement to restrict someone who is dangerous access to weapons.
Expand mental health and supportive services in schools to not only support children with post-traumatic events from violence but act as preventatives to stop them from recurring.

Woman's Rights

The GOP is looking to control and subjugate half the population. It is time to codify Roe into federal law for the safety of all women across this country.

We are all equal under the law. Equality is only achieved through the freedom to control our own bodies, lives, and futures. Birth control is health care. Affordable access to birth control is a right, not a privilege.

Healthcare is a decision between a patient and their doctor. The government has no business in the exam room.

LGBTQIA

LGBTQ rights have come a long way since Stonewall, but the struggle for equality and protection did not end there. Across the country, LGBTQ Americans still face legalized discrimination under the law when it comes to housing, jobs, parenting, and even prison.

Enshrine in law the right of LGBTQ couples to parent together.
Protection against job discrimination at the federal level. LGBTQ members can still be fired in most states based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Healthcare access should be equal, regardless of identity. Health insurance companies can currently block individuals’ access to care based on sexual and gender identity.

Healthcare

Changing jobs, starting a business, or going to school should not hinder you from having healthcare. It is time to move towards a healthcare system that works for all Americans.

Create a single-payer option and allow Americans to buy into it.
Bring down the costs of Rx drugs. The same drug sold to Americans should not be cheaper across the border.
Negotiate drug prices within Medicare and use the savings for the Child Tax Credit.

Energy

Americans are suffering under the volatility of our energy system and the reckless pursuit of profits from oil companies. It is time we move toward energy that is good for the environment and creates good paying clean jobs.

Oil revenues give authoritarian regimes like Russia nearly limitless power that goes unchecked by a world addicted to oil.

The clean energy industry generates hundreds of billions in economic activity. It’s time to expand this wealth to those most affected by energy pollution.

Climate Change

America has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our collective climate future.

Actively working to hit the Department of Energy’s 2030 carbon emissions reduction goal by 50%.

Investment in clean transportation infrastructure to combat environmental & traffic pollution

Prioritizing investment in New Jersey’s coastal wind energy.

Develop new union jobs in clean energy to modernize our energy grid with cutting-edge solar and wind energy.

”

—Matthew Jenkins’ campaign website (2024)^[4]

2022

Matthew Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jenkins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born in New Jersey, raised in Toms River, and now residing in Colts Neck, Matthew Jenkins is the heart of Congressional District 4 of New Jersey. Matthew attended public school in the Toms River School District K-12. He first attended Ocean County College and spent some time as a substitute teacher before completing his degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Generational Change
Making New Jersey work for working families
Fighting for justice and opportunity for all Americans

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Woman's Rights, LGBTQIA+, Healthcare, Energy, Climate Change

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Matthew Jenkins campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House New Jersey District 4	Lost general	$44,775	$50,310
2022	U.S. House New Jersey District 4	Lost general	$42,545	$39,233
Grand total			$87,320	$89,544
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House New Jersey District 4

Footnotes

↑ Matt Jenkins for Congress, "About Matt," accessed May 31, 2024
↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 1, 2024
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Matthew Jenkins’ campaign website, “Issues,” accessed May 31, 2024

New Jersey's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Cory Booker (D)

Representatives

District 1

Donald Norcross (D)

District 2

Jeff Van Drew (R)

District 3

Herbert Conaway (D)

District 4

Chris Smith (R)

District 5

Josh Gottheimer (D)

District 6

Frank Pallone (D)

District 7

Thomas Kean (R)

District 8

Robert Menendez (D)

District 9

Nellie Pou (D)

District 10

LaMonica McIver (D)

District 11

Mikie Sherrill (D)

District 12

Bonnie Coleman (D)

Democratic Party (11)

Republican Party (3)

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