TOMS RIVER, NJ – New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith faced a tough 2022 primary election against his opponent, conservative podcaster Mike Crispi. That’s because Smith was feuding with the former President, who had called for Smith to be removed from office in 2021.
Trump put a bullseye on Smith’s back, then walked away from that race.
He had declared war against New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith last year. In an email criticizing Smith for backing the Biden-Pelosi infrastructure deal last winter, Trump called for Smith to be primaried that June.
“Trump himself went on social media to issue a call for a primary challenge against Smith, the RINO,” Trump adviser Roger Stone said. “Fortunately, Mike Crispi stepped forward and said he’d take him on.”
Then, he went silent for two years. Trump did not mention Smith again until he gave the congressman a shout-out at the Wildwood rally he held last month.
“I made the decision to answer Trump’s call,” Crispi said. “Putting a halt to illegal immigration, medical freedom and standing for parents rights and the disgraceful critical race theory in schools. Chris Smith has voted with Nancy Pelosi in Congress 50% of the time and he supports the January 6th witch hunt.”
Crispi said he would not rubber-stamp President Joe Biden’s progressive agenda as Smith has done in the past year, calling Smith ‘feckless’.
Now, with elections on the line, everyone is re-aligning with Trump, even the anti-Trumpers, driven first by necessity, but secondly by the legal lawfare being waged against the former President by the left.
In Wildwood, Trump boasted that Smith had been a supporter of his for years, signaling his endorsement of the Congressman. In return, Smith endorsed Trump.
New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean, who has been critical of Trump also buried the hatchet, endorsing the former President.