Rep. Chris Smith wins 24th term in the House

Rep. Chris Smith (R) will sail to reelection Tuesday despite a grim national environment for Republicans, the Associated Press projects.

Smith’s victory over Democratic challenger Rachel Peace will secure a 24th term in the House for Smith, who has been in Congress for more than 45 years.

He is tied for the longest-serving member of the House. Smith and Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican, were both sworn into the lower chamber in January 1981.