NJ-4 Congressional District Election 2022: Matthew Jenkins

NEW JERSEY ? When voters go to the polls Nov. 8, they will be asked to choose the representative for New Jersey's 4th Congressional District.

There are six people seeking the seat, which is a two-year term in the House of Representatives.

The candidates are: Republican Christopher H. Smith, Democrat Matthew Jenkins; Libertarian Jason Cullen; Pam Daniels, running under the "Progress with Pam" banner; David Schmidt, running under the "We the People" banner and independent candidate Hank Schroeder.

The 4th District's boundaries have changed due to redistricting. The district now includes the following towns: In Monmouth County: Avon, Belmar, Brielle, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Howell, Lake Como, Manasquan, Ocean Twp., Sea Girt, Shrewsbury borough and township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Wall and part of Freehold Township and Middletown; In Ocean County: Bay Head, Beachwood, Brick, Island Heights, Jackson, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Lavallette, Manchester, Mantoloking, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Plumsted, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River, Toms River and part of Berkeley and Lacey.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers for Matthew Jenkins, 51, of Colts Neck.

Party affiliation: Democratic

Tell voters about your family: We live in Colts Neck, the kids are 17 and 21, so it?s college time in our house.

Tell voters about your education: I am a product of public education, my K-12 completed in the Toms River School System, beginning with Silver Bay School, just like Nobel Prize recipient Maria Ressa. I completed high school at TRN, a proud Mariner and then went to Ocean County College. Eventually, I earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Rutgers University. Public education helped shape me and create a love of learning throughout my life, including a program at Harvard?s Kennedy School of Government in Policy Design and Leadership.

What is your occupation? I am a general manager in Corporate Wellness.

Previous elective office, if any: I have not held public office.

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? Alison, my partner, is on the Colts Neck School Board.

Why are you seeking office? I like to think everyone wants to have a positive impact on the world around them. I have volunteered on soup lines and helped where I could, but I wanted to do more. I took a look at my education, work experience and business experience and this is where it brought me. As a scientist, I am obsessed with facts and I am an experienced researcher. In my business, I had many people from all walks of life that needed to work together to see projects to fruition. After completing a program at Harvard?s Kennedy School of Government I knew this was where I could best apply my skills and experience.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing New Jersey's 4th District, and what do you want to do about it?

Inflation is at the front of every conversation I am having around the district. It is a complicated subject with no quick fix. The Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction Act along with the CHIPs and Science Act are good starts, but we can do much more. An immediate issue that also needs attention is people?s individual rights. They should never be on any ballot state or federal. Women need the legal right to body autonomy, people should be able to love and marry who they choose and the government has no business in our bedrooms.

Do you believe there should be a federal ban on abortion or should the decision be left to each state and why? If you believe in a ban, should there be any exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother?

I believe a woman has a right to make decisions over her own healthcare and abortion is health care. Our rights should never be on any ballot. Republicans will say states' rights because it is easier to pass unpopular laws locally. It didn?t work in Kansas so they immediately pivoted to a Federal Ban. Abortion is Healthcare and women need to have the right to control their own lives.

There has been a proposal to eliminate Social Security and Medicare. In a district that?s home to thousands of retirees and seniors, where do you stand on this?

No to privatization. A private company concerns itself with profit. Benefits will be cut in the name of making money for shareholders. Americans spend their lives paying into Social Security and Medicare. They deserve to know it will be there when they need it.

Inflation is causing stress for millions of Americans, particularly those at the low end of the wage scale. What do you believe should be done to address it?

There is no simple solution to this problem. We had a once-in-100-year pandemic. The problem stems from the speed at which the economy grew, jobs grew and continue at historic rates and wage growth continues above 5 percent. Normally these are all great things for workers, but supply chains can?t keep up, and we have a major war in Europe. The Infrastructure Bill, Inflation Reduction Act and Chips Act are good starts, but we can do more. We must incentivize companies to bring our supply chain home to the US so we are so dependent on other countries. 90 percent of the ingredients for antibiotics come from China. We also must relieve ourselves of our addiction to oil. Even minor disruptions like decisions made in other countries have devastating effects on our country.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office?

My education and experience in science and policy design allow me to not just sift through data, but find the right data. Also, my business experience managing multiple projects with many people all working together toward a common goal. Anyone can start a project, but it is my ability to finish projects that is important. Democrats are working hard for the American people and I hope to help NJ-04 feel the benefits others are feeling.