1982Final results
1982 election for New Jersey's 4th District
U.S. House · New Jersey
Chris Smith (R) won with 52.7% of the vote, defeating Joseph P. Merlino (D) by 6.2 points.
Chris SmithRepublican · winner
52.7%85,660
Joseph P. MerlinoDemocrat
46.5%75,658
Bill HarrisLibertarian
0.4%662
Paul B. RizzoOther party
0.2%374
Eugene Allan CreechOther party
0.1%241
162,595 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Joseph P. MerlinoChris Smith
$271.5K
Raised by the campaign
$319.7K
$305.2K
Spent by the campaign
$319.2K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Chris Smith (R)Joseph P. Merlino (D)
Also on the ballot: Bill Harris (Libertarian), 0.4%; Paul B. Rizzo (Other party), 0.2%; Eugene Allan Creech (Other party), 0.1%