{ "id": "epebt9s2m2", "slug": "bob-smith-new-jersey-politician", "title": "Bob Smith (New Jersey politician)", "updated": "2026-10-12", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials", "label": "US governors and state officials", "api_url": 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"node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.northeastern-state-legislators.alpha-sm-to-z", "markdown": "# Bob Smith (New Jersey politician)\n\n[Bob Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith) (born 1947) is an American politician. A Democrat, he is a member of the New Jersey Senate representing the 17th Legislative District, centered on [New Brunswick](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-brunswick).[1](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith) He was elected to the Senate in November 2001 and previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1986 to 2002.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Democratic[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) |\n| Current office | Member of the New Jersey Senate, 17th district[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) |\n| Previous offices | New Jersey General Assembly (1986–2002); Mayor of Piscataway Township (1981–1986); Piscataway Township Council (1977–1980)[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) |\n| Born | 1947 |\n| Education | University of Scranton (BA history, MA chemistry); Rutgers University (MS environmental science); Seton Hall Law School (JD)[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nSmith is a Democrat.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) He served as Chair of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization from 1991 to 1992.[1](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nSmith was born in 1947. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Scranton, a master's degree in environmental science from [Rutgers University](https://www.edgepedia.org/rutgers-university), and a juris doctor from Seton Hall Law School.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) Before entering politics, he taught environmental science and chemistry at Middlesex County College for 15 years and practiced as an attorney.[1](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith) He is an attorney and owns Bob Smith and Associates, a Piscataway law firm.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) His wife is the former Ellen Foster; they have two children and seven grandchildren.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/)\n\n## Career\n\nSmith's career in Piscataway government began with service on the township's Environmental Commission and Planning Board from 1975 to 1986, where he was chair in 1976.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) He served on the Piscataway Township Council from 1977 to 1980 and as Mayor of Piscataway Township from 1981 to 1986.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/)\n\nHe served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1986 to 2002, where he was Deputy Minority Leader from 1994 to 1995 and Parliamentarian from 1988 to 1989.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) Smith was elected to the New Jersey Senate in November 2001 from the 17th Legislative District.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/) He has served as Chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee since 2002.[1](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith) He has served on the State House Commission since 2008.[2](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/)\n\n## Electoral history\n\nBallotReady lists Smith's candidacies for New Jersey State Senate, District 17, in the June 8, 2021 primary and November 2, 2021 general election, and in the June 6, 2023 primary and November 7, 2023 general election.[3](https://www.ballotready.org/people/bob-smith-3a3abb43-4afa-4344-bab0-3a3b0841f446)\n\n## Positions and legislative record\n\nSmith's legislative work has focused on environmental and energy policy; njballot.com states that his background in history, chemistry, environmental science, and law has informed his work in these areas.[1](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Bob Smith - njballot.com](https://njballot.com/profile/bob-smith)\n2. [Bob Smith | New Jersey Legislative Senate Democrats](https://www.njsendems.org/senators/bob-smith/)\n3. [Bob Smith - BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/bob-smith-3a3abb43-4afa-4344-bab0-3a3b0841f446)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Northeastern state legislators › Surnames Sm to Z*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026; Sep 30, 2026 · Edited: Sep 29, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026 · Last review: Sep 30, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Bob Smith (New Jersey politician)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Bob Smith (New Jersey politician)](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Bob Smith (New Jersey politician)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-smith-new-jersey-politician. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Bob Smith is an American Democratic politician who has represented New Jersey's 17th Legislative District, centered on New Brunswick, in the State Senate since 2002." }