He was first elected to Congress in 2018 as a Democrat, but changed parties in Dec. 2019 after falling out with the Democratic Party over his refusal to vote to impeach President Donald Trump. Why Jeff Van Drew Ditched the Democrats and Sided With Trump According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Kennedy has both outraised and outspent Van Drew. 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. During his first year in office, he voted frequently with other Democrats on issues supported by House Leader Nancy Pelosi. Today, Congressman Van Drew was named Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). 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. You know that and I know that and hopefully everyone in this room knows that.. Formerly a Democrat, he has been a member of the Republican Party since 2020.. Before being elected to Congress, Van Drew held several public offices, including fire commissioner, town committee member, mayor of Dennis . 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. 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. Robert Moore; Ceasefire NJ Legislative Director, Delores Phillips; and former Chairman of the Federation of American Scientists, Frank von Hippel!Read more below! 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. 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. Then he pledged 'undying support' for the president. The race between Van Drew and Kennedy is currently ranked as a toss up by Cook Political Report. Van Drew also could not immediately be reached for comment. I have also worked in nonprofits, and have been with The Press since 1990. 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. Joe Biden is being told what to do by the radicals running my former party. 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 . Washington, DC Office 331 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone . 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. So turned off by the impeachment sham, Rep Jeff Van Drew ditches the Democrats and is now a Republican. MAGA wants to destroy Democracy just tear it down, Alexander said. Van Drew is a dentist having run his own practice for more than 35 years before retiring upon his election to Congress. Im also in favor of investing in companies willing to build and manufacture the devices here.. Ms. Kennedy was making her first run for office. 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. 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. Van Drew, who served nearly two decades in the state Legislature, was never popular with the party's progressive base in a state that's turned increasingly blue. 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 . Heearned his Bachelor of Sciencefrom Rutgers University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Fairleigh Dickinson University Dental School. Because of Rep. Joe . To Christopher John Jackman and Grace McNeil and he has two brothers and two sisters. 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 . It looks like you were misusing this feature by going too fast. Jeff Van Drew has been around a long time, and hes got cross-party support, but I was not expecting a drop-off like that, said Michael Suleiman, chairman of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee. 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. 69. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. 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. degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. But Van Drew's future is uncertain with both Republicans and Democrats upset at his switch. Rep. Jeff Van Drew to Newsmax: Washington 'Afraid' of Trump Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Doing what's right shouldn't be complicated. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Gay rights activists are up in arms about a flyer a socially conservative non-profit group recently sent out to help state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) the most conservative Democratic lawmaker and one of only two Senate Democrats to vote against gay marriage last year. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "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. Feb 7, 2021. Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched parties amid former President Donald. All rights reserved. Meet Mrs. Ricarda Van Drew; wife of democratic politician Jeff Van Drew, who has been serving as the U.S Representative for New Jerseys 2nd congressional district. I would start with how this started, Van Drew began. The Republican said he "worked in a bipartisan way" while serving as a member of the House Transportation Committee. Soon after Mr. Van Drew switched parties with a pledge of undying support for Mr. Trump the president came to the district for a raucous, campaign-style rally that solidified the lifelong Democrats standing in the eyes of many Republicans. 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.. I dont even know how anybody could ever bring that up. Congressman Van Drew recently retired from dentistry after 30 years of practice in South Jersey. Explore Jeff Van Drew net worth, bio, age, height, family, wiki, birthday, career, salary [Last Update 2021]! Ricardas husband holds a B.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew Officially Switches Parties, Pledges 'Undying 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.. 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. Fox & Friends Weekend co-hosts Pete Hegseth and Will Cain talk to New Jersey voters. He voted against gay marriage,. The couple wed in 2011, have five children,. 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. Jeff Van Drew Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family 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. With about three-fourths of the expected votes in Atlantic County counted, Mr. Biden had a 9,000-vote edge on Mr. Trump. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. This is his first time running for elected office. Congressman Van Drew has repeatedly voted to DEFEND our 2nd Amendment, PROTECT unborn children, and AGAINST vaccine mandates, passports, and tracking databases, AGAINST raising the debt ceiling and budgeting via continuing resolution, and AGAINST the massive tax increases and social spending in Bidens so called Build Back Better agenda. racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. 2. Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer. 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. Married, Ricarda. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. MURPHY WON'T RULE OUT ANOTHER CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN AS CASES SPIKE. Results: Jeff Van Drew Defeats Amy Kennedy in New Jersey's 2nd person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. There was a problem saving your notification. Scott Wolf is credited as . The congressman is. More information about his marital life will be updated as soon as possible. Oct 30, 2020. . 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. Washington, DC -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. Women's Health Protection Act (2021) The Women's Health Protection Act is one of the most extreme pieces of abortion legislation ever introduced. New Jersey -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 remained against gay marriage in 2012 when legislative Democrats made a second attempt, but his opposition wasn't enough to stop the bill from passing 24-16 in the Senate and 42-33 in the Assembly; Christie vetoed it almost immediately afterwards. The move earned him the nickname "Switcheroo Van Drew" by some of his former Democratic colleagues and his opponent Amy Kennedy. Van Drew's party switch has opened up a competitive Democratic primary, with Kennedy facing several challengers. Thats a very Republican thing by the way, Trump interjected as the room erupted in laughter. Mr. Van Drews protracted victory appeared to vindicate his politically fraught decision to cross party lines and align himself with the president during last years impeachment proceedings. 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. HOME | Traitor Van Drew 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. 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. He assumed office on January 3, 2019. When asked if the nation is at risk of losing its Democracy, Alexander said MAGA Republicans who are strong supporters of former President Donald Trump are a threat. 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. The Henderson Roll- Although not included in the present list of names The Trump Van Drew Wildwood Rally that still holds the record for the most rally tickets ever requested at more than 165,000. Politics New Jersey Republican Apology Family New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, who switched from the Democratic to Republican party in 2019, condemned an Ocean City Sentinel newspaper. Mr. Van Drew overcame those deficits by winning in the more conservative counties of Cape May, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem. 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. Of course I blame Van Drew, Lassiter said. Please enter valid email address to continue. Please contact our office for more information on Representative Van Drew. A Kennedy and a Professor Compete to Run Against a Trump Backer Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Democratic challenger Tim Alexander, left, and U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd take part in the 2nd Congressional District Debate held Wednesday at Stockton University in Galloway Township. Jeff Van Drew Quotes - BrainyQuote "But there are good doctors and good leaders in those areas that can make those decisions.". 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. Patrick Kennedy's Wife Amy Running For Congress In New Jersey Van Drew would go one to make history once again in November of 2020 by becoming the first Republican ever to defeat a member of the Kennedy family for Congress after receiving more votes than any previous candidate in the history of New Jerseys 2nd Congressional District. 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. Harrison had the support of George Norcross III, Southern New Jerseys famed, but recently embattled, power broker. Van Drew said that far-left Democrats came to him and told him that they were disgusted with him for supporting the two bills that promoted faith and patriotism. She is married to Patrick J. Kennedy, . accounts, the history behind an article. 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. "I would say there are some pieces of [a replacement]," he said, "but for an entirely appropriate plan, I would need to see more of it.". that is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. Jeff Van Drew - Wikipedia Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. The general election matchup is set . Treat one another with respect, show some compassion, look out for others.". This is who I am. For Democrats, it was just the latest sign that their party-switching colleague has abandoned his . He has won 12 Grammy Awards, and three of his solo albums . Mostly civil debate brings out stark differences between Van Drew, Alexander. 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. (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 . At the time, he described Trumps conduct to USA Today asunsavorybut not impeachable. She has been quick to acknowledge the advantages of the family tie, Listen, the Kennedy family is great, she told Politico. He graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelors of Science in Television-Radio. Democratic challenger Tim Alexanderresponds during the 2nd Congressional District Debate held Wednesday at Stockton University in Galloway Township. "Too many of our leaders have lost their moral compass," she said. Amy Kennedy announces run against Rep. Jeff Van Drew | CNN Politics Mr. Callaway did not respond to messages seeking comment. This is not the America we know and love, Van Drew said. Comparable results for Mr. Trump in the district this year were not available. Van Drew ( Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. In addition, he served in theNew Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and as the former Democratic Senator representingNew Jersey's District 1 from 2008 to 2019. And by the way, same way. We have to invest in wind energy, said Democratic challenger Tim Alexander, 56, of Galloway Township. 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.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Ricarda gave birth to their son Jefferson Jr. on July 15, 1981, and to their daughter Danielle on July 8, 1983. ), First published on January 6, 2020 / 12:21 PM. 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. 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. N.J. election 2022: Jeff Van Drew vs. Tim Alexander - WHYY Use the 'Report' link on State law was changed five years ago to limit to three the number of ballots a messenger like Mr. Calloway can deliver to a polling place or collection site. Do you really believe Joe Biden is ready, willing and most of all able to do the same?. 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.