Her son Jeff, holds a BA With Honors from Rutgers University and my Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and his Doctor of. 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. Today, Congressman Van Drew was named Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). A day later he appeared at a press conference in the Oval office seated with President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and announced he was switching parties. 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. Patrick Kennedy served eight terms in Congress representing Rhode Island. Mr. Van Drew overcame those deficits by winning in the more conservative counties of Cape May, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem. The MAGA mission already has dealt a severe blow with the Dobbs decision (that overturned abortion rights and the Roe v. Wade decision).. 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. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) and Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy are in a "dead heat" in their closely watched campaign in South Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, according to a new poll. 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 is a dentist having run his own practice for more than 35 years before retiring upon his election to Congress. 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%. For Democrats, it was just the latest sign that their party-switching colleague has abandoned his . 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. A year into VanDrew's first term in Congress, he was one of only three Democrats to break with the party on impeachingPresident Trump. In other races, Representative Mikie Sherrill, a first-term Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, beat Rosemary Becchi, a tax lawyer, and U.S. Treat one another with respect, show some compassion, look out for others.". A message seeking a response was left with Van Drew. When Jeff Van Drew opposed an infrastructure bill last week that included millions for his South Jersey district, the Democratic-turned-Republican congressman was the state's only lawmaker in either party to vote no. She and Patrick make frequent public appearances (including at the 2019 Town & Country Philanthropy Summit) to discuss mental health and addiction initiatives. New Jersey Family First is an offshoot of the New Jersey Family Policy Council. A mother of five, she is the education director for a mental health advocacy group founded by her husband, Patrick J. Kennedy, who represented Rhode Island in the House but did not seek re-election in 2010. The district also includes small portions of Burlington and Camden Counties. Van Drew ( Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. On Thursday she released a new ad scorching Van Drew. Van Drew, 67, defeated Amy Kennedy, 41, a former schoolteacher, who is education director of the mental health foundation that her husband, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, founded. Of course I blame Van Drew, Lassiter said. / CBS Boston. Please enter valid email address to continue. It was Ms. Kennedys first run for elective office. https://vandrewforcongress.com/privacy-policy. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Keep it Clean. This content is imported from twitter. John Froonjian, executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, moderated the debate. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Kennedy has both outraised and outspent Van Drew. John Anthony White (n Gillis; born July 9, 1975), is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and music producer, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo the White Stripes.White has enjoyed consistent critical and popular success and is widely credited as one of the key artists in the garage rock revival of the 2000s. 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. Even with our nation being shaken to the core, Van Drew went ahead and voted NO on the bipartisan second . 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. Thats unbelievable, thats America., I dont want anyone to ever tell me that there isnt American exceptionalism, Van Drew continued. 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. 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 him "Switcheroo Van Drew." 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.. Pritzker keeping options open as some Democrats look for new blood, Cruz blasts Biden's 'incompetent' cabinet picks, warns vulnerable Democrats of consequences in 2024 elections, Marianne Williamson launches campaign against Biden, vows to fight 'forces of hatred, injustice and fear', Trump overwhelmingly wins CPAC's Republican primary straw poll with DeSantis coming in a distant second. Feb 7, 2021. 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. (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 . degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. Van Drews victory ended the familys tenure in Washington for the first time since President John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress immediately following World War 2. 02/03/2023. Van Drew won election in 2018 as a Democrat but announced last month he was becoming a Republican when he said he opposed impeaching Republican President Donald Trump. Jeff Van Drew Office | Jeff Van Drew Contacts. Thats you know, theres a little bit of states rights here. Amy is the education director of the Kennedy Forum, a behavioral health non-profit founded by Patrick. It is the second big Kennedy family loss of the year. She's a former school teacher and has five. I never have to face that hard choice, Alexander said. 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. 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. 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. Eight months later, Van Drew was given a coveted speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. The party had moved from liberal to radical, he said. She has been quick to acknowledge the advantages of the family tie, Listen, the Kennedy family is great, she told Politico. Van Drew started out as a small business owner in Atlantic County where hepracticeddentistry for over 35 years. Jeff Van Drew's income source is mostly from being a successful . This is not the America we know and love, Van Drew said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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. Not legal gun owners.. In terms of the economy, he has expressedsupport fora second round of coronavirus stimulus, includingcontinued funding for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), enhanced protections and funding for first responders and healthcare workers, and openingthe stimulus check availability to college-age dependents. To Christopher John Jackman and Grace McNeil and he has two brothers and two sisters. And by the way, same way. Lisa Bonnano. Famous U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew was born on February 23, 1953 in New York City. Socialism in my opinion has no place in the United States of America and I think everyone should know that. 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. The election in New Jersey was conducted mostly by mail and yielded a voter turnout that Gov. Jeff Van Drew Age. 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. She is married to former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), the son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.. Gail Wilson/The Press of Atlantic City, via Associated Press. About 12 percent ofDrews constituents say they were not aware of his party change. 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. I wish Amy had a better showing out of Atlantic County.. 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. Sign up here to receive email newsletter updates. The Associated Press declared Mr. Van Drew the winner at midday on Friday. 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. 374 views 0 comments. The Trump Van Drew Wildwood Rally that still holds the record for the most rally tickets ever requested at more than 165,000. Legal Statement. With about three-fourths of the expected votes in Atlantic County counted, Mr. Biden had a 9,000-vote edge on Mr. Trump. Amy Kennedy, who married into the political dynasty. But Ms. Kennedy had not conceded by early Friday afternoon. Just Who is Jeff Van Drew? 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. Rating: Jeff Van Drew was . Married, Ricarda. "Each state is different," Van Drew said. Here's my advice: Be true to who you are now, not who the Democrats used to be, he concluded. All rights reserved. Ordinarily in down-ballot contestselection races that include presidential ticketsparty affiliation is the major deciding factor. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Van Drew was always a conservative Cape May County Democrat that won elections. NEW JERSEY'S GOV.