Two Area Congressmen Spent The Most On Public Relations Items

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - And the winners are: Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th District, and Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd District.

They spent the most in taxpayer monies extolling their activities on those glossy mailers, robocalls and other communications, according to Clerk of the House reports in a story published in nj.com.

Spending taxpayer money on legislative updates, newsletters and upcoming public events that feature the politician, a practice known as "franking."

"All this franked mail looks just like campaign mail," said Craig Holman, a lobbyist with Public Citizen, an advocacy that supports stronger ethics laws.
"It will have a picture of the candidate and what wonderful things he or she has done in Congress," Holman said. "It then is sent to the constituents who vote for the member of Congress."

Rep. Chris Smith topped the list. He spent $158,665, according to Clerk of the House reports.

His spokesperson Matt Hadro had no immediate comment.

Rep. Tom MacArthur came in second. He spent $154,845.

MacArthur spokesperson Camille Gallo defended MacArthur's expenditures.

"Every member of Congress gets the same annual budget, which Congressman MacArthur prefers to spend on communicating with his constituents instead of paying for swanky office space and exorbitant travel," spokeswoman Camille Gallo said. "Tom is not going to apologize for telling the people he represents what he is working on in Congress and that his offices are here to help them."

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., was the Democrat highest on the list. He spent $114,789.

Norcross said the mailings provide lawmakers with a much-needed way to let their constituents know what's going on.

But Holman says the mailings give politicians an advantage over their challengers, even though they can't be sent out close to an election.

"It is designed to give the incumbent a leg up over their opponents," Holman said. "First of all, the opponents don't get the franking privilege and second, the incumbent is actually using taxpayer dollars to have an advantage over anyone who wishes to challenge him or her."

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