Republican U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew conceded defeat to Democratic challenger Zack Mullock in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, despite the race not yet being called by the Associated Press as of 1 a.m.
Van Drew told supporters he had already conceded to Mullock. “He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years, and I wish him the very best,” Van Drew said.
One week before the election, the Cook Political Report rated the race “solid Republican,” adding that a “huge wave” would have to put the seat in play. By the weekend, they changed the rating to “likely Republican” after Mullock received a boost from a super PAC.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill attended Mullock’s election night party at the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May. Sherrill, who was elected to Congress the same year as Van Drew, who then ran as a Democrat, said: “This is a full circle moment because he came into Congress on a blue wave and he left Congress on a blue wave.”
During the campaign, Mullock tied President Donald Trump’s declining popularity to Van Drew, who became a Republican in 2019 during a publicized Oval Office meeting where he pledged “undying support” to the president. Mullock said Van Drew’s stance on votes cost him his job. “You can’t have three of the poorest counties in the state here and vote against Medicaid, Medicare and things like [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] that are so important to so many people here,” Mullock said.
Van Drew has always acknowledged his close relationship with Trump, including after he debated Mullock recently at Stockton University. At the same time, Van Drew downplayed Trump’s influence on his duty. “Do I get along with the president? Absolutely. I’ve never said that I don’t,” Van Drew said. “I’ve always done what I think is right. I don’t answer to anybody.”
Mullock, the nonpartisan mayor of Cape May, said he prided himself on not knowing the party affiliation of people he appointed to city government until after they started working for him. He noted it was a big adjustment running a partisan campaign but he wanted to reach out to everyone in his district. “I’ve heard for too long us versus them … mark my words, I’m going to work with everybody, every Republican, independent or Democrat,” he said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The seat was considered solidly Republican until a last-minute shift, reflecting a potential wave against the president's party in a district Trump had won.
- Mullock's victory highlights the salience of healthcare and social safety net issues even in a conservative-leaning area.
- The result underscores the lingering impact of Van Drew's 2019 party switch on his political career.
Background
New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District covers the southern part of the state, including Atlantic City and Cape May. Van Drew was first elected as a Democrat in 2018 but switched to the Republican Party in 2019 after a meeting with then-President Donald Trump, pledging “undying support.” The flip has been a recurring issue in subsequent elections.
Key Perspectives
Jeff Van Drew (incumbent Republican): Said Mullock will be the new congressman and he has no regrets about his relationship with Trump, insisting he answers to no one and does what he thinks is right.
Zack Mullock (Democratic challenger): Argued Van Drew's votes against Medicaid, Medicare and food assistance hurt the district's poorest counties and promised to work with all parties as a representative for everyone.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill (Democrat): Called Van Drew's defeat a “full circle moment” from his election on a Democratic wave to his departure on one.
What to Watch
- Whether the Associated Press officially calls the race and the final margin.
- How Mullock's cross-party approach plays in a district Trump carried in 2020 and 2024.
- Whether Van Drew's party switch continues to affect other Republicans in similar districts.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedVan Drew conceded to Democrat Zack Mullock in New Jersey’s 2nd District.WHYY: “Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has conceded to his Democratic challenger, Zack Mullock.”
- SupportedThe Cook Political Report rating changed from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican.”WHYY: “One week ago, the Cook Political Report rated the race “solid Republican,” adding that a “huge wave” would have to put the seat in play. By the weekend, they changed the rating to “likely Republican””
- SupportedThe race had not been called by the Associated Press as of 1 a.m.WHYY: “Van Drew told supporters he had already conceded to Mullock, despite the race not having been called by the Associated Press as of 1 a.m.”
- SupportedVan Drew told supporters, “He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years, and I wish him the very best.”WHYY: ““He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years, and I wish him the very best,” Van Drew said.”
- SupportedThe Cook Political Report said a “huge wave” would have to put the seat in play.WHYY: “One week ago, the Cook Political Report rated the race “solid Republican,” adding that a “huge wave” would have to put the seat in play.”
- SupportedBy the weekend, the rating had changed to “likely Republican” after Mullock received a boost from a super PAC.WHYY: “By the weekend, they changed the rating to “likely Republican” after Mullock received a boost from a super PAC.”
- SupportedSherrill said, “This is a full circle moment because he came into Congress on a blue wave and he left Congress on a blue wave.”WHYY: ““This is a full circle moment because he came into Congress on a blue wave and he left Congress on a blue wave,” Sherrill said.”
- SupportedVan Drew became a Republican in 2019 during a publicized Oval Office meeting where he pledged “undying support” to Trump.WHYY: “Van Drew, who became a Republican in 2019 during a publicized Oval Office meeting where he pledged “undying support” to the president.”
- SupportedMullock said Van Drew’s stance on votes cost him his job.WHYY: “Ultimately, it was the stance Van Drew took on votes that cost him his job, according to Mullock.”
- SupportedMullock said, “You can’t have three of the poorest counties in the state here and vote against Medicaid, Medicare and things like [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] that are so important to so many people here.”WHYY: ““You can’t have three of the poorest counties in the state here and vote against Medicaid, Medicare and things like [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] that are so important to so many people here,” Mullock said.”
- SupportedVan Drew said, “Do I get along with the president? Absolutely. I’ve never said that I don’t,” and “I’ve always done what I think is right. I don’t answer to anybody.”WHYY: ““Do I get along with the president? Absolutely. I’ve never said that I don’t,” Van Drew said. “I’ve always done what I think is right. I don’t answer to anybody.””
- Partly supportedMullock said he prided himself on not knowing the party affiliation of people he appointed until after they started working for him.WHYY: “Mullock, the nonpartisan mayor of Cape May, prided himself on not knowing the party affiliation of people he appointed to city government until after they started working for him.”