Jay Webber says he’s counting on the intelligence of voters.

One can never go wrong telling voters how smart they are, but the latest issue enveloping Assemblyman Webber and his campaign for Congress may have more to do with fairness and equity than raw intelligence.

Webber, who represents the 26th Legislative District covering parts of Morris, Passaic and Essex counties, attracted attention Monday when he was one of only two votes in the state Assembly against legislation designed to ensure equal pay for men and women doing the same job. This was an eyebrow raising vote by any measure, but more so when you consider Webber is running for Congress this year in hopes of replacing the retiring Rodney P. Frelinghuysen in the 11th District.

Webber and Antony Ghee of Totowa are the main combatants in the June primary for the GOP nomination; Democrat Mikie Sherrill is the winner’s expected opponent this fall. The district covers parts of Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex counties.

Those who have watched Webber for a while – he arrived on the Morris County political scene in 2003 when he unsuccessfully challenged incumbent state Sen. Robert Martin – probably were not surprised by his vote. Webber, who made it to the Assembly in 2008, long has been a conservative ideologue with deep suspicion of government involvement in such private matters as how much a company pays an employee.

He has no problem talking about the flaws of a bill that passed the Senate with nary a dissenting vote.

For starters, he says the bill is unneeded because current law already protects women from pay discrimination in the workplace and offers those so harmed ample redress, including back pay, attorneys’ fees and compensation for emotional distress.

Webber described the bill that was passed as “far left” legislation that could unnecessarily burden businesses. He said the bill entitles those harmed to triple damages and allows plaintiffs up to six years before beginning court action. Webber says he fears the bill could prompt costly litigation that could result in businesses lowering wages, cutting staff and perhaps even closing. And he adds that some of those businesses undoubtedly will be owned by women.

All this is well and good. As with all popular legislation, the one or two dissenting voters often bring up salient points that the majority overlooks or shuns aside.

But the potential problem for Webber is that the issue goes beyond piecemeal opposition. The vote was a statement by the Legislature that women employees in New Jersey deserve to be treated the same as men. Even if the bill somewhat duplicates current law, the symbolism was important. Which is why all but two Republicans joined Democrats to support it. (The only other “no” vote came from another Morris County assemblyman, Michael P. Carroll from the neighboring 25th District.)

Webber seems confident voters will understand his reasons for opposing the legislation, noting that “People are smart enough to see that.”

Actually, that’s highly debatable. Most people, unfortunately, pay scant attention to what the state Legislature does, let alone to detailed explanations as to one why votes a certain way. But you can be sure that Webber’s opponents in the primary and if he gets that far, in the general, are going to simply point out that Webber opposed :”equal pay for women.”

It’s already happening.

Soon after Webber pushed the “no” button, two GOP lawmakers, state Sen. Kristin Corrado of District 40 and Assemblywomen Betty Lou DeCroce from Webber’s own district issued a release criticizing him. Corrado said she was “baffled” by Webber’s vote and DeCroce noted that “work is not a hobby for women.” Both Corrado and DeCroce are supporting Ghee, so their instant opposition is not unexpected. Still, their quick response shows this may be an issue in the primary.

Looking further ahead. Sherrill said in a statement, “In 2018, it is hard to believe that any legislator would vote against ensuring women get equal pay for equal work. I am deeply disappointed that Assemblyman Jay Webber chose to vote, yet again, against legislation that would give the women of New Jersey a well-deserved raise. As one of just two members to vote against this bill, he is out of step with the people of New Jersey and not the type of leader we want in Trenton or deserve in Washington.”

Webber shrugged off the political attacks, saying, “That’s fine. That’s the First Amendment.”

And he said, “I don’t vote based on politics.”

To be sure, there is a lot to be liked with an official who does not cast purely-political votes.

But at the same time, it’s politics that wins elections. Or loses them.