Reinhardt V. Metzger, born in Philadelphia, spent his early political career in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he was elected in a special election in 1953 and subsequently re-elected to a full term. He later transitioned from the Republican Party to run as a Conservative candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1961, although he did not secure a significant number of votes. Metzger served as President of the New Jersey Conservative Club in 1962 and was known for advocating that conservatives prioritize principles over party labels. He was married to Agnes Kearney Lake from 1933 until her death in 1960.

Reinhardt V. Metzger's political identity is marked by an unwavering commitment to conservative principles, even at the cost of party loyalty. His speech urging conservatives to prioritize principles over party labels reveals a highly ideological approach. Metzger's suggestion that conservatives write in better candidates if the Republicans strayed from core principles indicates a readiness to disrupt traditional party structures for ideological purity. This blend of ideological rigidity and strategic flexibility creates an intriguing tension in his political philosophy.