The October 22nd debate, co-sponsored by Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy and The Press of Atlantic City, gave both candidates an opportunity to make their closing arguments less than two weeks before Election Day.
For Van Drew, Save Jerseyans, the evening was an opportunity to emphasize his record of securing federal investments for South Jersey while portraying Mullock as an out-of-step Democrat whose policy proposals would make life more expensive for working families.
His campaign wasted little time declaring victory.
“After months of lies, Congressman Van Drew thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to set the record straight tonight and offered voters a crystal clear contrast that showed us all exactly why he’s going to be re-elected decisively in November,” said campaign manager Ron Filan in a post-debate statement.
Filan argued that the candidates’ differences were particularly apparent on government benefits and immigration.
“When Congressman Van Drew spoke about leading the fight in Congress to protect and strengthen Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance for seniors and the most vulnerable Americans, Mullock was more concerned with restoring those benefits for illegal aliens,” Filan said.
The campaign also accused Mullock of misrepresenting federal spending decisions and failing to acknowledge assistance Van Drew secured for Cape May.
On taxes, Filan charged that Mullock’s proposals would result in higher income taxes for working families, higher Social Security taxes for seniors, and increased burdens on tipped workers and households earning less than $150,000 annually.
Those claims reflect the Van Drew campaign’s characterization of Mullock’s positions.
Utility costs, another major issue for South Jersey voters, also figured prominently in the campaign’s post-debate response.
“Congressman Van Drew has vowed to continue the fight against Atlantic City Electric and the state agency responsible for increasing utility bills, but Mullock remains unable to explain why a top leader at the electric company was all in for him,” Filan said.
The debate unfolded against a challenging political backdrop for Mullock. New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District became significantly more Republican following the 2021 redistricting process, and Van Drew won comfortable reelection victories in both 2022 and 2024.
Democrats have nevertheless attempted to portray the incumbent as vulnerable this cycle, despite the district’s Republican lean and Van Drew’s established electoral record.
Thursday’s encounter provided Mullock with a high-profile opportunity to change that narrative. Van Drew’s campaign, unsurprisingly, believes the incumbent instead reinforced his advantage.
“Like we said before, the choice this Fall is crystal clear,” Filan concluded.
With Election Day approaching on November 3rd, the Republican incumbent remains the favorite to secure another term representing South Jersey.
