Washington, DC Office 331 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone . The district also includes small portions of Burlington and Camden Counties. Van Drew addedthat a lot of Democrats support President Trump and are disgusted for what their old partywhat my old party has become.. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) has won re-election in New Jersey's Second Congressional District, NBC News projects. The Night Shift Dr. View all Scott Wolf pictures. Kennedy, a yearslong resident of Brigantine, north of Atlantic City, highlighted the economy and environmental issues in the minutelong video announcing her run. 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. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Matt Friedman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Mostly civil debate brings out stark differences between Van Drew, Alexander. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told Newsmax on Friday that the recent move by credit card companies to categorize gun sales separately is a "loss of freedom" for Americans.. Van Drew told "American Agenda" that the move is his biggest concern when it comes to gun rights.. 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.. Jeff Van Drew Age. Norman Vanamee is the articles director of Town & Country. He voted against gay marriage,. 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. New Jersey voters weigh in on upcoming Election Day. https://t.co/lJHDCwWhS5. New Jerseys Trump-Endorsed Conservative Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Mr. Van Drew overcame those deficits by winning in the more conservative counties of Cape May, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem. Ms. Kennedys husband, Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island, is a nephew of President John F. Kennedy. But Ms. Kennedy was leading Mr. Van Drew there by fewer than 4,800 votes. I dont even know how anybody could ever bring that up. A year into VanDrew's first term in Congress, he was one of only three Democrats to break with the party on impeachingPresident Trump. Im endorsing him. Van Drews move drew instant anger from fellow Democrats and earned him the nickname, Switcheroo Van Drew. Do you know what we would have done with a guy like that in my neighborhood in Paterson? said fellow New Jersey representative Bill Pascrell Jr. Pritzker keeping options open as some Democrats look for new blood, Cruz blasts Biden's 'incompetent' cabinet picks, warns vulnerable Democrats of consequences in 2024 elections, Marianne Williamson launches campaign against Biden, vows to fight 'forces of hatred, injustice and fear', Trump overwhelmingly wins CPAC's Republican primary straw poll with DeSantis coming in a distant second. person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. Van Drew was always a conservative Cape May County Democrat that won elections. degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He is an attorney, a Certified Financial Planner; BoardCertified as an Estate Planning Law Specialist by the ABAaccredited Estate Law Specialist Board; CPA-Bodybuilder-Coder, maintainer of BTCPay-Python library. 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. In a statement issued after the race was called on Friday, Mr. Van Drew made only a passing reference to his decision to switch parties. "I would support that we all should be careful and we should be doing whats medically correct," he added. 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%. 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.. Representative Jefferson Van Drew (1953 - ) In Congress 2019 - Present |. As for the coronavirus, Van Drew does not support a national mask mandate. Required fields are marked *, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Don't forget to check the Photo Gallery & Video. After nearly a week of speculation, New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew has officially abandoned Democrats to join the Republican Party, he announced during a press conference with President Donald Trump on Thursday. Anyone can read what you share. Philip D. Murphy said on Thursday would exceed four million and amount to the highest in the states history. Congressman Van Drew Named Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Kennedy has both outraised and outspent Van Drew. 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. Legal Statement. #NJ02https://t.co/3gBH3uWFk4, After the primary, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Callaway and Kennedys campaign had a falling out and then he crossed party lines and went to work for Van Drew. This is not the America we know and love, Van Drew said. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a onetime Democrat who switched parties in December and declared allegiance to President Trump, held onto his New Jersey seat in a race against Amy Kennedy, a. I wish Amy had a better showing out of Atlantic County.. A recent .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}poll shows first-time candidate Kennedy, a Democrat, leading by five points, but Van Drew, a longtime fixture in New Jersey politics who recently changed party affiliation, has launched a counteroffensive that may have evened the odds. Rating: Jeff Van Drew was . 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Patrick and Amy Kennedy with their son Owen and daughter Nora at a Senate hearing. Both Van Drew and Alexander have been married for decades and have adult children. Famous U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew was born on February 23, 1953 in New York City. He won the election as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party last December. One of the bills would have allowed In God We Trust to be written on the walls of all public and private buildings and the second bill allowed the American flag to be flown anywhere, in any manner, as long as it was respectful. https://vandrewforcongress.com/privacy-policy. A lot of money and a lot of power was used against me, quite frankly, to remove me from my seat during a difficult year, Mr. Van Drew said in an address to supporters late Tuesday, which his campaign manager, Ron Filan, said was a declaration of victory. Market data provided by Factset. He is married with two children, two grandchildren, and two German shepherds. or redistributed. The party had moved from liberal to radical, he said. She is married to Patrick J. Kennedy, . 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. Fellow party members were grateful to have the district, which has swung between Republican and Democratic control in recent decades, and happy to overlook any policy differences they had with Van Drew. Eight months later, Van Drew was given a coveted speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Her son Jeff, holds a BA With Honors from Rutgers University and my Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Following the no vote, Van Drewannounced in December of 2019 that he would be switching to the Republican Party, offering a pledge of "undying support" to the president. Former FBI agent Robert Turkavage, who ran and lost in the GOP primary in 2018 but switched parties to run as a Democrat this year, is also in the race. We believed in the America that we know, the America that we love, the America that we know is this great place.. Heearned his Bachelor of Sciencefrom Rutgers University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Fairleigh Dickinson University Dental School. 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. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J . Before being elected to Congress, Van Drew held several public offices . The move earned him the nickname "Switcheroo Van Drew" by some of his former Democratic colleagues and his opponent Amy Kennedy. Sign up here to receive email newsletter updates. "I believe that this is just a better fit for me," Van Drew said in the Oval Office, according to a White House press pool report. The 2022 general election possibly could tip the scales of power in the U.S. House of Representatives from a Democratic to Republican majority, Authorities arrested a Millville man accused of murdering a woman Wednesday afternoon by shooting her in the head, the Cumberland County Prose, Voters will decide whether to give U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, a third term in office, the fate of partisan elections in Atlantic City and , 9:50 p.m.:Voters in Atlantic City rejected a switch tononpartisan elections for their local government Tuesday, giving a victory to Mayor Ma, Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew claimed victory Tuesday night for reelection, as he was leading with almost 58% of the vote in the 2nd Cong, CAPE MAY Voters on Tuesday opted for stability over change on City Council, supporting three incumbents and a newcomer who had the backing o, The win was huge and convincing for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, a bright spot in the Nov. 8 general election for Republicans who were disa. each comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. The Associated Press called the race with about 80 percent of precincts reporting. 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. It is the second big Kennedy family loss of the year. 374 views 0 comments. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents is a sign that Washington, D.C. is "afraid" of him. President Trump speaks at a Jan. 28 campaign rally in Wildwood, N.J., as Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., listens. A posting on the Facebook page of Mr. Van Drews campaign said that he had spoken to Mr. Trump on Thursday night and offered to help the president in any way he could. Van Drew voted against certifying Joe Biden's win in the 2020 Election, even after an angry mob incited by Trump breached the U.S. Capitol resulting in the deaths of five people -- including one Capital Police Officer from New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and his Doctor of. 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. Ms. Kennedy was shown to have about a five-point edge over Mr. Van Drew in a Monmouth University poll conducted in late September. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. 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. But they disagreed strongly on border issues in general, with Alexander saying far more people are here illegally on expired visas, and Van Drew countering that the porousness of the southern border lets not only illegal immigrants through but also illegal drugs like Fentanyl. 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. Nearly 9-in-10 Democrats (87%) and half of independents (46%) are bothered by the incumbents change of party affiliation, compared with 15% of Republicans who feel that way. Of course I blame Van Drew, Lassiter said. In addition, Van Drew is a lifelong member of the Oceanview Fire Company. When President Trump traveled to South Jersey a few weeks later for one of his signature campaign rallies with Van Drew it was the first time in more than a century that a sitting President had visited Cape May County. He assumed office on January 3, 2019. The front of an anti-gay marriage mailer sent in support of state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May). 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. 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. Amy is the education director of the Kennedy Forum, a behavioral health non-profit founded by Patrick. Thats the PR blowback of his record. As many have pointed out, if Amy does not win the seat, it will be the first time in decades that there is no Kennedy in Congress. A message seeking a response was left with Van Drew. Jeff Van Drew Jeff Van Drew Wife. Mr. Callaway had worked for Ms. Kennedy during the Democratic primary, but after a falling out signed on with the Van Drew campaign. Gail Wilson/The Press of Atlantic City, via Associated Press. The MAGA mission already has dealt a severe blow with the Dobbs decision (that overturned abortion rights and the Roe v. Wade decision).. A former public school teacher, Amy is married to Patrick Kennedy, a former eight-term member of Congress and son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Mrs. Van Drew was born Ricarda Rose Villani on March 18, 1954. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) and Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy are in a "dead heat" in their closely watched campaign in South Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, according to a new poll. 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.. In her letter, the former schoolteacher, who married Kennedy the year after her 2010 divorce from her first husband, the Democrat wrote: "So today, I am asking for your help supporting those protesting peacefully . 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. 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. key issues. The district leans Republican, having went for Trump in 2016. or anything.Be Nice. Van Drew started out as a small business owner in Atlantic County where hepracticeddentistry for over 35 years. Harrison had the support of George Norcross III, Southern New Jerseys famed, but recently embattled, power broker. All rights reserved. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren, and reside in Dennis Township. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. Here's what you should know about Rep. Jeff Van Drew before stepping into a voting booth: WHO IS AMY KENNEDY? 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. In terms of the economy, he has expressedsupport fora second round of coronavirus stimulus, includingcontinued funding for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), enhanced protections and funding for first responders and healthcare workers, and openingthe stimulus check availability to college-age dependents. Amy Kennedy, who married into the political dynasty. 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. On Thursday she released a new ad scorching Van Drew. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. WOODBINE Iryna Mazur, the honorary consul for Ukraine to Philadelphia, is amazed by how Americans went from knowing little about her nation , Tim Alexander's congressional campaign has announced endorsements from Gov. President Donald Trump meets with Rep. Jeff Van Drew, D-N.J., who is planning to switch his party affiliation, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Washington. She is the founder of DRPR Strategies. Van Drews victory ended the familys tenure in Washington for the first time since President John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress immediately following World War 2. In December 2019, Van Drew was one of only two Democrats in the House to vote against impeaching Donald Trump. MAGA wants to destroy Democracy just tear it down, Alexander said. 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. Current House member Joseph Kennedy III lost a Senate primary earlier this year to Ed Markey, and will step down from Congress when his term ends on January 3rd.Will this be the end of a powerful family's 60-year political run? Its a racist dog whistle, Alexander said of complaints about the southern border. About 12 percent ofDrews constituents say they were not aware of his party change. 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.. Patrick, who has spoken openly about his own struggles with addiction, is also the co-founder of One Mind, a non-profit focused on brain injuries and illnesses. On one side is Gov. The survey released Friday by Stockton University showed Kennedy with a statistically insignificant lead over Van Drew, the . Prior to all of that, Jeff Van Drew was a dentist in South Jersey. Stockton restricts participation in debates to candidates who raise enough money to have to file Federal Election Commission reports, and neither Gallo nor Parisi Sanchez qualified to participate. 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.'. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. I dont want anyone to ever say that this is the same as every other country in the world because it is not. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told Newsmax on Wednesday that, as a dentist with microbiology training, the wet market COVID-19 origin theory never made sense to him. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Press News Editor Nick Huba and journalist Clyde Hughes of Frontrunner NJ asked the candidates questions, which came from Stockton students, Press readers and others. Send him story tips at lucas.manfredi@fox.com. A day later he appeared at a press conference in the Oval office seated with President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and announced he was switching parties. In addition, he noted that Democratic leaders told him if he did not vote for impeachment, his life would be made difficult and he would not be able to run for office again. Growing up in the same place that I currently live, Ive got the people that know me.. Van Drew was first elected to Congress in 2018 after his tenure in state Legislature. He won the Democratic primary on June 5, 2018. In 2018, VanDrewwas elected as theDemocratic CongressmanrepresentingNew JerseysSecond District. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. In 2018, he ran for the district seat and wonpart of the blue wave that gave control of the House to Democrats that year. Prior to joining Fox News' digital team in 2020, Manfredi worked for Fox Business' Making Money with Charles Payne as a production assistant. But Ms. Kennedy had not conceded by early Friday afternoon. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Rep. Jeff Van Drew speaks to members of the media outside a closed House Democrats organizational meeting at Longworth House Office Building November 28, 2018 in Washington, D.C. Your email address will not be published. Kennedy currently serves as the education director of the Kennedy Forum, which was founded in 2013 by her husband and aims at helping officials improve mental health care policy. 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. Van Drew also could not immediately be reached for comment. Formerly a Democrat, he has been a member of the Republican Party since 2020. ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. 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. For Democrats, it was just the latest sign that their party-switching colleague has abandoned his . Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. 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. A former public school teacher, Amy is married to Patrick Kennedy, a former eight-term member of Congress and son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Van Drew's party switch enraged the Democratic base and earned him a strong challenger in Amy Kennedy, a former teacher who married former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) the late Sen. Ted. The couple wed in 2011, have five children, and live in Brigantine, New Jersey. The incumbent. Van Drew added that former Republican President Ronald Reagan was one of his favorite presidents and that Reagans comment about how the Democrat party left Reagan also rang true for him. I believe that this is just a better fit for me, he told reporters. Our campaigns have worked hand in hand from day one and have continued to do so since Election Night, the posting said. After voting against impeachment, Van Drew announced he was switching parties and becoming a Republican. The Associated Press reported Van Drew's win on Friday. Im a capitalist, Van Drew continued. Van Drew was re-elected as a Republican in 2020. Ricardas husband holds a B.S. On December 16, 2021, President Trump hosted a fundraiser for Van Drew at Mar-a-Lago in Florida where he once again offered Van Drew his total and complete endorsement and added that he is with him all the way.. Will Van Drew's 2019 political gamble be his undoing? The race between Van Drew and Kennedy is currently ranked as a toss up by Cook Political Report. 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. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a onetime Democrat who switched parties in December and declared allegiance to President Trump, held onto his New Jersey seat in a race against Amy Kennedy, a former teacher who married into an American political dynasty. Market data provided by Factset. Mr. Van Drew was able to overcome the stigma of switching parties, buoyed by Mr. Trumps warm embrace in a district that the president won by about five points in 2016. She is married to former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), the son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.. Who Is Jeff Van Drew's Wife? 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. SMS opt in will not be sold, rented, or shared. Jeff Van Drew, a Republican congressman who defected from the Democrats, beat back a challenge from a former schoolteacher who is married to a Kennedy nephew. Our country is in crisis, and our leaders like Donald Trump and Jeff Van Drew have lost their moral compass," Kennedy said in a statement . PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. 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. More information about his marital life will be updated as soon as possible. Published. 02/03/2023. JUST IN: Amy Kennedy, a south Jersey native and wife of former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, announces she's seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Dem-turned-Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer. 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. Its fortunate that marriage equality has become a bipartisan issue, but its unfortunate that someone like this would attack a Republican for taking that stand.. I would start with how this started, Van Drew began. And it kind of hurt because for years I have given everything that I could to my people in my district and that kind of hurt and it made me think a little bit, is this really what I want to do because there were other times in my life when I thought about this, Van Drew continued. The New Jersey Globe projects that Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) has won re-election, defeating Democrat Tim Alexander in the 2nd congressional district. Amy Kennedy, who is married to former Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, announced her candidacy for the 2nd District House seat in an online video. In comparison to winning theDemocratic primaryin 2018 with just 56 percent of the vote, Van Drew won theRepublican primary earlier this year by an overwhelming margin, taking in over 80 percentof the vote, beating conservative Bob Patterson. Ms. Kennedy was making her first run for office. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.