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. So, I have a few words I had few points that I really wanted to make today. 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. 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. Socialism in my opinion has no place in the United States of America and I think everyone should know that. Who Is Jeff Van Drew's Wife? He voted against gay marriage,. Rutgers University, B.S. 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. 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.. She is the founder of DRPR Strategies. He assumed office on January 3, 2019. All Rights Reserved. Gail Wilson/The Press of Atlantic City, via Associated Press. Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched parties amid former President Donald. Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett has also said she is running. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. "So, I have a few words I had few points that I really wanted to make today. Its a racist dog whistle, Alexander said of complaints about the southern border. 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 . The United States of America is an exceptional nation and I will continue to work with anyone willing to put party aside to fight for a strong America and a strong South Jersey, Mr. Van Drew said. You know that and I know that and hopefully everyone in this room knows that.. Comparable results for Mr. Trump in the district this year were not available. Renewable energy is important, but its also important we dont hurt the people who live here and work here, Van Drew said. 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. All rights reserved. The couple wed in 2011, have five children,. https://t.co/lJHDCwWhS5. Van Drew said the nation is at the precipice and needs saving, but the threat comes from Democratic policies that have resulted in out-of-control crime, illegal immigration and inflation. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren, and reside in Dennis Township. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Thats you know, theres a little bit of states rights here. The move earned him the nickname "Switcheroo Van Drew" by some of his former Democratic colleagues and his opponent Amy Kennedy. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. A year into VanDrew's first term in Congress, he was one of only three Democrats to break with the party on impeachingPresident Trump. 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. At the time Van Drew said he felt Trump had not done anything that rose to an impeachable offense. 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.. So turned off by the impeachment sham, Rep Jeff Van Drew ditches the Democrats and is now a Republican. Lassiter -- who with his partner donated $100 to the campaign of Adelizzi-Schmidt and her running mates -- said gay rights activists should support Republicans who favor gay marriage and hold Democrats who oppose it to account. 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. She has been quick to acknowledge the advantages of the family tie, Listen, the Kennedy family is great, she told Politico. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The general election matchup is set . His decision to join the Republicans sent political shock waves through the district, leading Mr. Richter, his would-be Republican opponent, to pack his bags to run in an adjacent district against Mr. Kim, clearing a wide path for Mr. Van Drew. Here is when he met with President Trump. At the time, he described Trumps conduct to USA Today asunsavorybut not impeachable. Local observers attributed much of that falloff to the work of Craig Callaway, a notorious political operative whom Mr. Van Drew had paid more than $100,000 for his get-out-the-vote efforts. 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. Women's Health Protection Act (2021) The Women's Health Protection Act is one of the most extreme pieces of abortion legislation ever introduced. Texas GOP votes to censure Rep. Tony Gonzales over support on gun, same-sex Texas property tax bill excludes divorced, LGBTQ couples from getting relief, Michael Steele on Marjorie Taylor Greene: Just shut the hell up, Judiciary Democrats go after GOP whistleblowers in FBI probes, Haley to hit Trump on spending record in closed-door Saturday speech, Trump reigns supreme at a diminished CPAC, Mike Lindell calls DeSantis a Trojan Horse, New storm to bring yet more heavy snow to California, Watch live: Trump, Bolsonaro and more take the stage on Day 3 of CPAC, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. It was Ms. Kennedys first run for elective office. 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. Do you really believe Joe Biden is ready, willing and most of all able to do the same?. Van Drew's party switch has opened up a competitive Democratic primary, with Kennedy facing several challengers. 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. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Democrat Amy Kennedy, a former teacher who married into the Kennedy family, has lost her race for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District to incumbent Rep. Jeff Van Drew. 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. 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. Van Drew started out as a small business owner in Atlantic County where he practiced dentistry for over 35 years. 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. Joe Biden is being told what to do by the radicals running my former party. ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. 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. Farleigh Dickinson University Dental School, D.D.S. Patrick and Amy Kennedy with their son Owen and daughter Nora at a Senate hearing. 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. Van Drew has raised about $2.9 million this election cycle, and had about $925,000 cash on hand as of Sept. 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. https://vandrewforcongress.com/privacy-policy. 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. Van Drew was re-elected as a Republican in 2020. expressedsupport fora second round of coronavirus stimulus, Biden replacement? 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. If you already have an account (i.e. 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. Rep.-elect Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss gridlock in the House over Kevin McCarthy's bid to become the next House speaker. 2 min. Mixing up celebrities and tech with a twist, December 15, 2019 by L.A Girl Leave a Comment. During his speech, he said President Trump "made me feel more welcome in the Oval Office than Nancy Pelosi ever made me feel in her caucus. HEADLINE: Rep. Jeff Van Drew Was 'Almost Obsessively Anti-Trump' Before He Considered Joining His Party [The Daily Beast, 12/17/2019] HEADLINE: 'I will not vote' for Trump, Jeff Van Drew vowed in a voicemail. Van Drews voting record has put him in league with right wing, anti-gay radicals. U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew (R) in a debate at Stockton University on Oct. 19, 2022. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He got hisseat in the New Jersey Senate, on November 6, 2007. Scott Wolf is credited as . 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. We have to invest in wind energy, said Democratic challenger Tim Alexander, 56, of Galloway Township. Its basically trying to get out the worst common denominator, and to align them with Sen. Van Drew, it seems. Im also in favor of investing in companies willing to build and manufacture the devices here.. Im a capitalist, Van Drew continued. "Too many of our leaders have lost their moral compass," she said. or redistributed. 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.. This is the greatest country on the face of the earth, Van Drew continued. After voting against impeachment, Van Drew announced he was switching parties and becoming a Republican. About 12 percent ofDrews constituents say they were not aware of his party change. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, a style that drew directly from the blues and rhythm and blues genres of African. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. First reporting job was with The Daily Record in Parsippany. 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. Published. 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. 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. 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. Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew was named Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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.. 69. Republican, NJ-02 . Sarrah Hallock 5 Facts About Rohan Ozas Girlfriend, Madison Maddie Russo TikToker charged in GoFundMe cancer scam, Tyler Stanaland 5 Facts About Pitch Perfect star Brittany Snows Husband, Alexander Edwards 5 Facts About Cher Boyfriend, Allison Holker 5 Facts About Stephen tWitch Boss wife. Married, Ricarda. He also cited vast government spending in the midst of the COVID pandemic as the main cause of inflation, while Alexander cited the Russia war on Ukraine and disruptions in supply chains caused by the pandemic. Van Drews Republican opponent, Susan Adelizzi Schmidt, favors gay marriage. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Ms. Kennedys husband, Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island, is a nephew of President John F. Kennedy. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}Alex Murdaugh Found Guilty, Damien Hirst Donated More than $10 Million to NHS, How to Help After Earthquake Hits Turkey, Syria, Jeff Bezos Pledges to Donate Most of His Wealth, Mastermind Behind Varsity Blues Gets 3.5 Years. 2. 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. Country of Citizenship. 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. Van Drew has two grandchildren. 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 two found some agreement over giving Dreamers young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children who have lived here most of their lives a path to citizenship. 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. 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. All Latest Jeff Van Drew News / House These 10 House Republicans flipped their votes on the same-sex marriage bill On Thursday she released a new ad scorching Van Drew. I wish Amy had a better showing out of Atlantic County.. Harrison had the support of George Norcross III, Southern New Jerseys famed, but recently embattled, power broker. 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. He said the farms could hurt the fishing industry, which is critical to the area, and the visibility of 1,000-foot towers can hurt the tourism industry. Trump praised Van Drew and hosted him at the White House, where the congressman pledged his support. He said: "Every day and every way we're losing freedom in this country, whether it's the ability to speak out online . 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. Black and brown people fleeing drug cartels are coming across there (but) people coming in on visas look like them, so they dont want to say they are the problem.. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. Callaway backed Kennedys campaign during her primary run against Bridget Callahan Harrison. Ricarda gave birth to their son Jefferson Jr. on July 15, 1981, and to their daughter Danielle on July 8, 1983. The front of an anti-gay marriage mailer sent in support of state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May). 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 . Buskie Alex Cazares as Staci Brandon Scott as Hendershot Eric Bell Jr. With Kelsey Grammer, Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner. He is married with two children, two grandchildren, and two German shepherds. NEW JERSEY'S GOV. When asked if the Dobbs decision could also lead to reversing peoples rights to gay marriage, Van Drew said the Congress has already codified the right to marry for gay people and he voted for that law. Jeff Van Drew. The wife of former Representative Patrick Kennedy is running for congress in New Jersey. Fox & Friends Weekend co-hosts Pete Hegseth and Will Cain talk to New Jersey voters. Jeff Van Drew ( Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. 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. Van Drew also said that lowering taxes, balancing the budget, and honoring first responders and veterans are all things that were important to him. Required fields are marked *, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Don't forget to check the Photo Gallery & Video. Patrick Kennedy served eight terms in Congress representing Rhode Island. He is from United States. Its president, Len Deo, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. 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. Taking Van Drews hand, President Trump replied, Thank you very much. This content is imported from twitter. MAGA wants to destroy Democracy just tear it down, Alexander said. New Jerseys Trump-Endorsed Conservative Congressman Jeff Van Drew. I never have to face that hard choice, Alexander said. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J . Ordinarily in down-ballot contestselection races that include presidential ticketsparty affiliation is the major deciding factor. 02/03/2023. Mostly civil debate brings out stark differences between Van Drew, Alexander. 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%. Kennedy has brought in $4.2 million, spent $4.1 million, and has a little over . In December 2019, Van Drew was one of only two Democrats in the House to vote against impeaching Donald Trump. Ms. Kennedy was shown to have about a five-point edge over Mr. Van Drew in a Monmouth University poll conducted in late September. / CBS Boston. He graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelors of Science in Television-Radio. The Associated Press declared Mr. Van Drew the winner at midday on Friday. 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. 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. SMS opt in will not be sold, rented, or shared. "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. 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. 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? I started out not as a wealthy kid, had the opportunity to work hard, got into dental school, graduated, and now Im sitting here next to the president of the United States. 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. Kennedy was able to leverage her family connections to out-raise Van Drew during the campaign. Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor, singer, and producer. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Kennedy has both outraised and outspent Van Drew. I dont even know how anybody could ever bring that up. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In this image from video, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., speaks as the House debates the objection to confirm the Electoral College vote from Pennsylvania at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7, 2021. I dont want anyone to ever say that this is the same as every other country in the world because it is not. In other races, Representative Mikie Sherrill, a first-term Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, beat Rosemary Becchi, a tax lawyer, and U.S. We'd love to hear eyewitness Jeff Van Drew that is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. 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. When the Democrats tried to order me around, I was ready, willing and able to say I've had enough with their radical, socialist agenda, Van Drew said. For Democrats, it was just the latest sign that their party-switching colleague has abandoned his . 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. Her son Jeff, holds a BA With Honors from Rutgers University and my Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School. Ms. Kennedy was making her first run for office. More information about his marital life will be updated as soon as possible. Democratic challenger Tim Alexanderresponds during the 2nd Congressional District Debate held Wednesday at Stockton University in Galloway Township. Van Drew is currently trailing behind his opponentby an average of about3.5 percentage points, according to the latest polling from RealClearPolitics. This is who I am. 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. Van Drew got his start in politics asCape May County Freeholder from 1994 to 1997. In 2018, he ran for the district seat and wonpart of the blue wave that gave control of the House to Democrats that year. Jeff Van Drews race against Amy Kennedy was the last New Jersey congressional contest to be decided. Reply STOP to cancel. 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. 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 . I have also worked in nonprofits, and have been with The Press since 1990. But Van Drew's future is uncertain with both Republicans and Democrats upset at his switch. Jeff Van Drew's income source is mostly from being a successful . Jeff Van Drew Office | Jeff Van Drew Contacts. Jeff Van Drew Age. However,Van Drew also agreed with his opponent that global warming should be taken seriously, thatbeach replenishment is not an optimum option but needs to continue, and that flood insurance for shore residents must be maintained while at the same time making houses more flood resistant. (The fact that Kennedy beat Norcrosss candidate was major news in New Jersey political circles. Jeff Van Drew C . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Will Van Drew's 2019 political gamble be his undoing? 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.. Chris Christie last month dropped his opposition in court to gay marriage after a Superior Court judge ruled gay couples must be allowed to get married starting Oct. 21, and after the state Supreme Court not only refused Christies request to delay the date, but indicated that he had little chance in succeeding in appealing the lower courts decision. Explore Jeff Van Drew net worth, bio, age, height, family, wiki, birthday, career, salary [Last Update 2021]! His current term ends on January 3, 2025. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The survey released Friday by Stockton University showed Kennedy with a statistically insignificant lead over Van Drew, the . This is his first time running for elected office. This new Democrat Party wasn't just for higher taxes, now they were for open borders, against our police and against our God-given rights.. She's a former school teacher and has five. Both Van Drew and Alexander have been married for decades and have adult children. 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.