DENNIS TWP., N.J. – As discussed by Save Jersey and inside Republican circles in recent weeks, it appears that freshman Democrat Jeff Van Drew (D, NJ-02) is poised to switch parties ahead of the 2020 election.
“Van Drew’s congressional and campaign staff were informed he was planning to switch parties on Saturday, according to Democratic sources,” Politico reported on Saturday. “The question was now when, not if, Van Drew was joining the Republican Party, according to several Democrats with knowledge of the ongoing conversations.”
–
The move reportedly follows an extensive meeting between Van Drew and POTUS. Insiders expect President Trump – who has tweeted about Van Drew’s tactical impeachment opposition in recent months – to support Van Drew’s jump. He’s only one of two House Democrats who voted against launching the initial impeachment inquiry.
Rep. Van Drew is a moderate Democrat by 2019 standards but not a conservative; he’s voted with Nancy Pelosi approximately 91% of the time since joining the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2019. As recently as Saturday afternoon? Van Drew’s campaign was still advertising a December 16th fundraiser headlines by Bob Menendez and Phil Murphy:
Largely rural and working class, the Second Congressional District covers most of South Jersey and includes a large chunk of the Jersey Shore including Atlantic City. It voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016 but backed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
Developing…
–
