The general election matchup is set . You know that and I know that and hopefully everyone in this room knows that.. Gov. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is fighting to keep his seat in a tight contest against Democratic rival Amy Kennedy as the House race for New Jersey'ssecond congressional district has gained national attention. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Philip D. Murphy, who offered a late endorsement to the candidate with a celebrity surname: Amy Kennedy, a mental health advocate and former history teacher married to Patrick. Jay Lassiter, an openly gay liberal activist who helped publicize the flyer, said the gay community should not let Van Drew off the hook unless he denounces it. (P. Kenneth Burns/WHYY) Van Drew made the case that he is working for the district during a debate at Stockton University on Oct. 19 . President Trump endorsed Van Drew in the House Race for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional Districtduring the pair'smeeting at the White House in December 2019. "A lot of us, including myself, found this to be a real strange business," Van Drew said during an appearance on Newsmax's "National Report." Van Drew, of Dennis Township, is a 69-year-old former dentist who held local and county offices before being elected to and spending years in the state Assembly and then the state Senate. Washington, DC Office 331 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. First reporting job was with The Daily Record in Parsippany. New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) said on 'Fox & Friends First' Monday the American people want the truth about the origins of COVID after hearing repeated lies and "misinformation" from Dr . Here's my advice: Be true to who you are now, not who the Democrats used to be, he concluded. Its tally showed that he had received 51.7 percent of the votes, compared with 46.7 percent for Ms. Kennedy. Jefferson H. Van Drew (born February 23, 1953) is an American politician and dentist serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district since 2019. He voted against gay marriage,. "So, what Wyoming needs to do and North Dakota needs to do may be very different than what the city of Washington or the city of New York has to do. New Jersey - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced he will be holding his first hearing in South Jersey on March 16th regarding offshore wind projects being built off the coast of New Jersey, with time and location to be announced in the coming weeks. Trump backed Van Drew after he switched parties. Oct 30, 2020. We'd love to hear eyewitness Mrs. Van Drew was born Ricarda Rose Villani on March 18, 1954. Just Who is Jeff Van Drew? Here's what you should know about Rep. Jeff Van Drew before stepping into a voting booth: WHO IS AMY KENNEDY? Ricardas husband holds a B.S. We believed in the America that we know, the America that we love, the America that we know is this great place.. We can have a strong and good environment and we can have a good economy at the same thing and that is something that I think Republicanism represents.. Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Claudia Tenney discuss the White House telling Americans the 'liberal world order' is our most important concern on 'The Ingraham Angle.'. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Ms. Kennedy was shown to have about a five-point edge over Mr. Van Drew in a Monmouth University poll conducted in late September. TRENTON, N.J. (AP) A member of the Kennedy family, a former public school teacher, said Monday she will run as a Democrat against party-switching Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey. This is his first time running for elected office. In my first job after college got paid to read the New York Times and summarize articles for an early online data base. Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and New Jersey State , U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, has again hired Atlantic City's Craig Callaway as a strategy consultant in his re-election campaign, according, MAYS LANDING Two candidates for the House of Representatives in the 2nd Congressional District debated Tuesday night at Oakcrest High School, GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP President Donald Trumps former campaign manager and senior counselor Kellyanne Conway came home to South Jersey Wednesday, MAYS LANDING U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew will not participate in Tuesday nights Atlantic County League of Women Voters debate at Oakcrest High , WASHINGTON To prevent immigrants lacking permanent legal status from obtaining identification cards, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is planning to . You can cancel at any time. In December 2019, Van Drew was one of only two Democrats in the House to vote against impeaching Donald Trump. Mr. Van Drew, a retired dentist, rose in politics from mayor of Dennis, N.J., to county legislator to state lawmaker, serving in both the Assembly and Senate in one of the most conservative regions of the state. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III, 40, mounted an unsuccessful Democratic primary challenge against Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts. All rights reserved. Tuesday night, it was Van Drew who was claimed to be victorious, and Wednesday, he was still maintaining a 9,500 vote lead, 51% to 48%. Van Drew said that he was repeatedly criticized by people in the Democrat party who put down the United States, as they tried to convince him that America was the same as every other country and that there was no such thing as American exceptionalism. The piece says Van Drew supports traditional marriage and letting the people vote on the definition of marriage, while Adelizzi-Schmidt thinks she can take your vote for granted while cozying up to same-sex marriage proponents who denied your right to vote on marriage., Troy Stevenson, executive director of Garden State Equality the states largest gay rights organization called the flyer disgusting and said he wants Van Drew to disavow it., Its discrimination-bating, Stevenson said. On one side is Gov. Danielle Van Drew now Danielle Dick is married to Robert Grant Dick; she graduated in 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts in communications and public relations from Seton Hall University. or anything.Be Nice. Today, Congressman Van Drew slammed the Biden administration for its continual lack of transparency withthe American people - this time about the correlation of offshore wind development and the death of endangered whales. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said New Jersey congressman Jeff Van Drew had "guts" when he abandoned the Democratic Party to join the Republicans, while an opponent nicknamed. Please enter valid email address to continue. He was also mayor of Dennis Township from1994-1995 and1997-2003. Your email address will not be published. Of all the political races heading to the finish line on November 3rd, one of the most interesting (aside from, well, you know) is Amy Kennedys run against incumbent Jeff Van Drew for New Jerseys Second Congressional District. Vote: Jeff Van Drew voted Yea (Passage) - HR 185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes. 02/03/2023. Also running against Van Drew and Alexander are Libertarian Mike Gallo, of Villas in Lower Township; and perennial candidate Anthony Parisi Sanchez, of Millville. Country of Citizenship. It is the second big Kennedy family loss of the year. I really cant say anything more than I am so blessed to have them as relatives and family now, and have married into a family that really cares. But she also points out that she is a fourth-generation member of a politically active Southern New Jersey family and that her father served as councilman in Atlantic County, which is part of the district she hopes to represent. . The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton and The Press of Atlantic City co-sponsored the debate, which was broadcast live and remains available on the Hughes Center web site at stockton.edu/hughescenter. Mr. Callaway did not respond to messages seeking comment. The 2nd District includes all or parts of eight counties and stretches from suburban Philadelphia along the Delaware River in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Alexander has raised about $442,000 this cycle, and had about $39,000 cash on hand as of Sept. 30, according to FEC filings. Amy is the education director of the Kennedy Forum, a behavioral health non-profit founded by Patrick. She also criticized the president and Van Drew for contributing to a decline in morality in public discourse. Van Drew stated that the county chairman, whom he described as younger man, threatened him that if he did not vote to impeach Trump that the county chairman would destroy him. 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Ms. Kennedys performance in her home base of Atlantic County was disappointing, compared with the strong support there for Joseph R. Biden Jr., the former vice president, in the presidential race. Thats you know, theres a little bit of states rights here. This is who I am. But the race was considered by the Cook Political Report to be a tossup in a district that had been represented by a Republican for 24 years before Mr. Van Drew was elected in 2018. Required fields are marked *, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Don't forget to check the Photo Gallery & Video. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) has won re-election in New Jersey's Second Congressional District, NBC News projects. Mixing up celebrities and tech with a twist, December 15, 2019 by L.A Girl Leave a Comment. Published. Alexander said he supports womens rights to decide for themselves whether or not to continue a pregnancy, and doesnt think government should insert itself into the question at all. It was Ms. Kennedys first run for elective office. I dont want anyone to ever say that this is the same as every other country in the world because it is not. Formerly a Democrat, he has been a member of the Republican Party since 2020. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2008; subsequently served as New Jersey State Senator until 2018, after he announced he would run for the open congressional seat. Democratic challenger Tim Alexander and U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew R-2nd take part in a 2nd Congressional District Debate held Oct. 19 at Stockton University in Galloway Township. I dont know what a racist dog whistle is, but I dont have one, Van Drew responded. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. She and Patrick make frequent public appearances (including at the 2019 Town & Country Philanthropy Summit) to discuss mental health and addiction initiatives. President Trump will hold a rally for N.J. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who became a Republican over impeachment. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J . Rutgers University, B.S. Market data provided by Factset. Personally Im pro-life, Van Drew said, but there are many people who believe abortion should be legal in the first few months but not all the way to 9 months.. https://vandrewforcongress.com/privacy-policy. Im a man. The front of an anti-gay marriage mailer sent in support of state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Van Drew continues to distinguish himself as New Jerseys Trump-Endorsed Conservative Congressman for having the courage to stand strong in support of President Trump and his America First legacy. pic.twitter.com/z4ZDMTFCzD, (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) December 19, 2019, Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Please contact our office for more information on Representative Van Drew. She is the founder of DRPR Strategies. Age. Legal Statement. This is the greatest country on the face of the earth, Van Drew continued. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Matt Friedman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Van Drew won election in 2018 as a Democrat but announced last month he was becoming a Republican when he said he opposed impeaching Republican President Donald Trump. The last time that happened was in 2011, when Patrick J. Kennedy gave up his seat after struggling with mental illness and drug addiction, marking the first time since 1947 that no member of the family had held federal office. First elected to the House two years ago as a Democrat, Mr. Van Drew overcame his opponents lead in most polls, a considerable fund-raising disadvantage and the familiarity of the Kennedy name. Earlier this year, everyone was surprised when Kennedy received the endorsement of Craig Callaway, a controversial Garden State Democratic political operative who has served time in prison for bribery. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The manager of a swanky apartment building uses his access to meddle in the lives of the tenants. You may unsubscribe at any time. Dr. Van Drew previously served as a State Senator, State Assemblyman, and Freeholder in Cape May County as well as Mayor, Township Committeeman, and a Fire Commissioner in his hometown of Dennis Township. He was born on February 23rd, 1953 in New York City, New York, USA. About 12 percent ofDrews constituents say they were not aware of his party change. While Van Drew doesn't believe the Affordable Care Actisn't as good as it should be, he argues that he needs to see a better replacement before voting to repeal it. Im a capitalist, Van Drew continued. Van Drew, a gun owner and National Rifle Association member, calledstate actions like reducing the capacity of magazine-fed firearms nonsense., We need to punish the people who are creating and actually committing the crimes, he said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Here is when he met with President Trump. But Ms. Kennedy was leading Mr. Van Drew there by fewer than 4,800 votes. Rating: Jeff Van Drew was . Its who I always was but there was more tolerance of moderate Democrats, Blue Dog Democrats, conservative Democrats, and I think that is going away. Then, in a scene that would be played repeatedly on news feeds for days to come, he turned to the President and said earnestly, You have my undying support.. Mr. Van Drew had claimed victory nearly three days earlier, on election night, with tens of thousands of ballots still to be counted. Mr. Callaway, who served more than three years in prison for bribery, specializes in delivering mail ballots from low-income precincts in and around Atlantic City, a Democratic stronghold. Jeff Van Drew C . Illinois Gov. I dont even know how anybody could ever bring that up. Mr. Van Drew was a vocal opponent of the presidents impeachment and joined the Republicans in December when it became clear that he could not count on re-election support from Democratic leaders in his South Jersey district, setting up a marquee House race infused with national angst. person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. In a year of electoral extremes, observers are embracing this as an old-fashioned horse race. Comparable results for Mr. Trump in the district this year were not available. racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. Thats unbelievable, thats America., I dont want anyone to ever tell me that there isnt American exceptionalism, Van Drew continued. The race was the last New Jersey congressional contest to be decided, and one of only two in the state won by a Republican. Today, Congressman Van Drew announced he will be holding his firsthearing in South Jersey on March 16th regardingoffshore wind projects being built off the coast of New Jersey, with time and location to be announced in the coming weeks. Van Drew was re-elected as a Republican in 2020. A mother of five, she is the education director for a mental health advocacy group founded by her husband, Patrick J. Kennedy, who represented Rhode Island in the House but did not seek re-election in 2010. Do Democrats need a past superstar to hold the White House in 2024? And Representative Tom Malinowski, a first-term Democrat who, like Mr. Kim, was elected two years ago in a so-called blue wave aligned against Mr. Trump, defeated Thomas Kean Jr., the minority leader of the State Senate. Van Drew's party switch has opened up a competitive Democratic primary, with Kennedy facing several challengers. While Biden, Pelosi, and the Socialist Squad continue to push Radical policies like the Green New Deal and Defunding the Police, Congressman Van Drew has been fighting back and speaking out loudly and proudly in defense of the America we know and love. The Associated Press declared Mr. Van Drew the winner at midday on Friday. Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer. accounts, the history behind an article. Congressman Jeff Van Drew made his exit from the Democrat Party official on Thursday during a meeting in the Oval Office in front of reporters as he explained how Democrats' continued push toward far-left anti-American policies drove him to becoming a Republican. In announcing his party change, Van Drew cited the Democrat Partys embrace of Socialism and the Radical Left, and in doing so, he became the first Congressman in American history to leave the majority party and join the minority party in the United States House of Representatives. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. As of 10:10 p.m. and with an estimated 49% of votes reported, Van Drew leads Alexander by a 59%-40% margin, though that may change substantially as more votes come in. Doing what's right shouldn't be complicated. During a debate with his opponent, Amy Kennedy, last month, Van Drew pushed back against the movement to defund the police,arguing that it means officers "wont get the equipment, the safety equipment, the vests, whatever else they need to make sure that they stay alive as they take bullets for you.. Still, he was out-raised by Ms. Kennedy, who generated $4.25 million in contributions, compared with the $3.9 million he was able to bank. Jeff Van Drew No one understands the impacts of shifting fish stocks more than commercial and recreational fishermen in my district. But Van Drew's future is uncertain with both Republicans and Democrats upset at his switch. Kennedy, a yearslong resident of Brigantine, north of Atlantic City, highlighted the economy and environmental issues in the minutelong video announcing her run. The Associated Press . Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched parties amid former President Donald. Van Drew said that he has thought about switching parties before when he was in the New Jersey state Senate when he voted on two bills that he described as being wonderful.. Mostly civil debate brings out stark differences between Van Drew, Alexander. A DEMOCRAT-TURNED-REPUBLICAN AND A KENNEDY ARE GOING HEAD-TO-HEAD IN A NEW HOUSE RACE. On Thursday she released a new ad scorching Van Drew. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Van Drew is a dentist having run his own practice for more than 35 years before retiring upon his election to Congress. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. She is married to Patrick J. Kennedy, . However, a victory against his Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy is likely to be more of an uphill battle, in part because of his party switch. Eight months later, Van Drew was given a coveted speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Representative Joeseph Kenndedy III ran, and lost, in 2020 primary battle for a Senate seat. Van Drew was a longtime state senator who has conservative views on a number of social issues, including gun control. Van Drew said that another reason that he switched parties is because the Democrats are becoming less tolerant of diverse thought as they become more extreme. The money race. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He is married to Ricarda Van Drew. "I would support that we all should be careful and we should be doing whats medically correct," he added. Callaway told the paper, the Kennedy team were, not people who keep their word.. Van Drew, 67, defeated Amy Kennedy, 41, a former schoolteacher, who is education director of the mental health foundation that her husband, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, founded. In an unrelated twist, Callaways sister, Gwen Lewis, who is also active in Southern New Jersey politics and works on the influential Atlantic City Democratic Committeebacks Kennedy. Anyone can read what you share. Sign up here to receive email newsletter updates. Jeff Van Drew Every American of every background and creed should be furious with China for their disregard of human well-being amidst the Coronavirus cover-up they have participated in. That 5 point lead amounted to more than 15,000 votes as of Friday afternoon. Its a racist dog whistle, Alexander said of complaints about the southern border. United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew made history in December 2019 when, after leading the charge to DEFEAT House Democrats sham impeachment against President Trump, he joined the President in the Oval Office to announce his decision to become a Republican. Van Drew, whose comments thus far through his remarks had seemed to take aim at socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), then took direct aim at the far-left 29-year-old. In another close congressional contest in South Jersey, Representative Andy Kim, a first-term Democrat, defeated David Richter, a wealthy Republican businessman who similarly yoked himself to Mr. Trump during the campaign. Explore Jeff Van Drew net worth, bio, age, height, family, wiki, birthday, career, salary [Last Update 2021]! In 2018, VanDrewwas elected as theDemocratic CongressmanrepresentingNew JerseysSecond District. I would start with how this started, Van Drew began. He introducedthe Health Smart Air Travel Act in October, which if enacted would seek to developnew technologies that mitigate virus transmission in airports and passenger aircrafts. All Rights Reserved. Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times, unsuccessful Democratic primary challenge. Democratic challenger Tim Alexander, left, and incumbent U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, debated the issues Wednesday during a Congressional debate, co-sponsored by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton and The Press of Atlantic City.