Jeff Van Drew

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Jeff Van Drew
BornJefferson Van Drew
23 2, 1953
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, dentist
Known forU.S. Representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district; switching from Democratic to Republican Party
EducationRutgers University–New Brunswick (BS)
Fairleigh Dickinson University (DMD)
Children2
Website[https://vandrew.house.gov Official site]

Jefferson Van Drew (born February 23, 1953) is an American politician and dentist serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district since January 2019. Born in New York City and raised in southern New Jersey, Van Drew built a lengthy career in state and local politics before ascending to Congress. He served as a fire commissioner, town committee member, Mayor of Dennis Township, New Jersey, and member of the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders before representing New Jersey's 1st legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and in the New Jersey Senate from 2008 to 2018. Originally elected to Congress as a Democrat in 2018, Van Drew drew national attention when he opposed the first impeachment of Donald Trump and subsequently switched to the Republican Party in December 2019, formally joining the Republican caucus in early 2020. He was reelected as a Republican in 2020 and has continued to represent the district, a sprawling region covering much of southern New Jersey. His career has been marked by a moderate-to-conservative political posture, bipartisan legislative efforts, and controversy surrounding his party switch and his support for efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results.

Early Life

Jefferson Van Drew was born on February 23, 1953, in New York City, New York.[1] He was raised in southern New Jersey, where he would eventually build his political career and professional practice. Details regarding his parents, siblings, and childhood upbringing are limited in publicly available records. Van Drew settled in Dennis Township in Cape May County, a rural community in the southern tip of New Jersey, where he established both his dental practice and his early political involvement.

Van Drew's entry into public life began at the local level. He served as a fire commissioner and as a member of the Dennis Township Committee before becoming the Mayor of Dennis Township. These early positions provided him with experience in local governance and community affairs in Cape May County, a region characterized by its coastal tourism economy, agricultural lands, and relatively conservative-leaning electorate compared to much of New Jersey. His involvement in local government laid the foundation for a political career that would span more than three decades across multiple levels of government.

Education

Van Drew attended Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.[2] He subsequently enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.[2] Van Drew practiced dentistry in southern New Jersey for many years, maintaining his dental practice even as he served in various public offices. His background as a dentist distinguished him from many of his political colleagues and provided him with a connection to the healthcare profession that would later inform some of his legislative positions, particularly on issues related to healthcare policy and insurance.

Career

Local Government

Van Drew's political career began in local government in Dennis Township, Cape May County. He served as a fire commissioner and as a member of the Dennis Township Committee before being elected Mayor of Dennis Township. These roles gave him a grounding in municipal governance and the concerns of residents in southern New Jersey's rural and coastal communities.

Van Drew subsequently served on the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders (the county legislative body in New Jersey). He served two separate terms as a freeholder: first from January 1, 1995, to January 1, 1998, succeeding Gary Jessel, and again from January 1, 2001, to January 8, 2002, succeeding Mark Videtto.[3] His service on the freeholder board provided him with experience in county-level budgeting, infrastructure planning, and regional governance.

New Jersey General Assembly (2002–2008)

In 2001, Van Drew ran for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly representing New Jersey's 1st legislative district, which covers portions of Cape May, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties in southern New Jersey. He won election and took office on January 8, 2002, succeeding John C. Gibson.[2] The 1st legislative district is one of the most geographically expansive in New Jersey, encompassing rural farmland, shore communities, and small towns.

During his tenure in the Assembly, Van Drew developed a reputation as a moderate Democrat, often breaking with the party's progressive wing on social and fiscal issues. He served in the Assembly for three terms, through the end of the 2006–2007 legislative session.

In the November 2007 elections, Van Drew sought to move to the upper chamber of the New Jersey Legislature.[4][5] He was succeeded in the Assembly by Matthew W. Milam.

New Jersey Senate (2008–2018)

Van Drew was elected to the New Jersey Senate from the 1st legislative district and took office on January 8, 2008, succeeding Republican Nicholas Asselta.[2] His victory was notable as it flipped the seat from Republican to Democratic control in one of the more conservative areas of New Jersey.

In the New Jersey Senate, Van Drew continued to position himself as a moderate-to-conservative Democrat. He was reelected in 2011, winning his race in a year that was otherwise favorable to Republicans in the state.[6] He won reelection again in 2013, holding on to his seat in a contest that drew attention given the Republican-leaning tendencies of parts of his district.[7][8] Van Drew won yet another term in the 2017 elections.[9]

Throughout his decade in the New Jersey Senate, Van Drew carved out a distinct political identity. He represented a district where conservative positions on gun rights, immigration, and fiscal policy were popular among many voters, and he frequently diverged from the positions of the state Democratic Party's leadership. His ability to win repeatedly in a competitive district as a Democrat was attributed in part to his willingness to cross party lines on key issues.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In November 2017, longtime Republican U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo announced that he would not seek reelection to New Jersey's 2nd congressional district seat.[10] Shortly thereafter, Van Drew announced his candidacy for the open seat.[11][12]

Van Drew's candidacy attracted attention as a test case for the Democratic Party's strategy of running moderate candidates in swing districts. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) supported his candidacy as part of a broader effort to compete in traditionally Republican-leaning districts.[13] His moderate profile was seen as well-suited to the 2nd congressional district, which had been held by Republicans for more than two decades under LoBiondo.

During the campaign, Van Drew faced scrutiny from progressive Democrats who questioned whether his conservative positions on some issues aligned with the party's direction. A Politico report examined the tensions between progressive activists and more moderate candidates like Van Drew in New Jersey's 2018 races.[14] Van Drew won the Democratic primary in June 2018.[15]

During his general election campaign, Van Drew stated that he would not vote for then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House if Democrats took control of the chamber.[16] This pledge further underscored his positioning as a moderate willing to break from Democratic leadership.

In the November 2018 general election, Van Drew defeated Republican nominee Seth Grossman with 52.9% of the vote to Grossman's 45.2%, succeeding the retiring LoBiondo and flipping the seat to Democratic control.[17]

U.S. House of Representatives

Van Drew took office on January 3, 2019, representing New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, succeeding Frank LoBiondo. The district covers a large swath of southern New Jersey, including all of Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem counties, as well as parts of other counties.

Impeachment and Party Switch

Van Drew's most consequential political decision came in December 2019, when he opposed the first impeachment of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives prepared to vote on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, Van Drew was one of a small number of Democrats who publicly expressed opposition to the proceedings. His stance placed him at odds with the majority of the Democratic caucus.

Shortly after announcing his opposition to impeachment, Van Drew switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The switch was announced in December 2019 and formalized in early 2020. According to reports at the time, Van Drew met with President Trump at the White House, where he pledged his "undying support" to the president. The party switch was a significant event in congressional politics, drawing extensive media coverage and criticism from Democrats who accused Van Drew of political opportunism, as well as praise from Republicans who welcomed him into their caucus.

Van Drew was succeeded in the New Jersey Senate by Bob Andrzejczak, who had been his legislative colleague.

2020 Reelection

Running as a Republican in 2020, Van Drew faced Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy in the general election. Despite the controversy surrounding his party switch, Van Drew won reelection, defeating Kennedy and securing his position as a Republican member of Congress. His victory demonstrated that his political brand retained appeal among voters in the 2nd congressional district, where Trump was also popular.

2020 Election Certification

Following the November 2020 presidential election, Van Drew was among the Republican members of Congress who supported efforts to challenge the certification of the presidential election results. He supported the unsuccessful attempts to overturn the election outcome, aligning himself with a faction of the Republican Party that sought to contest the results in key swing states. This stance drew criticism from Democrats and some election law experts but solidified Van Drew's standing among Republican base voters and with President Trump.

Subsequent Terms and Legislative Activity

Van Drew has continued to serve in the House of Representatives, winning subsequent reelection campaigns. In Congress, he has engaged in both partisan and bipartisan legislative work. On Veterans Day 2025, Van Drew co-introduced the Veterans Bill of Rights alongside Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), a bipartisan measure aimed at ensuring that veterans receive adequate care and recognition of their service.[18]

On healthcare policy, Van Drew has taken positions that have at times placed him at odds with other members of his party. In October 2025, Van Drew and fellow New Jersey Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. called for a "conservative path" to protect Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, as the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance warned that ACA premiums would rise an average of 15.9% in 2026 without an extension of federal subsidies.[19] In December 2025, Van Drew publicly urged Congress to extend the expiring federal tax subsidies for the ACA before adjourning for the holidays, a position that placed him among a smaller group of Republicans willing to advocate for preserving elements of the 2010 healthcare law.[20]

However, Van Drew also faced criticism from Democratic colleagues for not signing a discharge petition that would have forced a vote on extending the ACA premium tax credits. Representative Frank Pallone and Senator Rob Menendez issued a statement accusing Van Drew and Representative Kean of "betraying New Jersey" by publicly claiming to support the credits while declining to take procedural action to advance their extension.[21]

Staffer Controversy

In November 2025, a former staffer in Van Drew's office was accused of staging a politically motivated attack on herself. The woman had initially told authorities that she had been attacked and lacerated by three men while walking in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.[22] The investigation subsequently determined that the attack had been fabricated, and in December 2025, the former staffer, identified as Natalie Greene, was charged with federal conspiracy charges for staging the incident.[23]

2026 Reelection Prospects

As of early 2026, Van Drew is expected to face competitive challenges in the upcoming election cycle. Democratic candidates have begun launching campaigns for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, with Zack Mullock entering the race with support from several prominent South Jersey Democrats.[24] Democratic candidate Bayly Winder held a town hall in Egg Harbor Township in October 2025, criticizing Van Drew's accessibility to constituents.[25]

Personal Life

Van Drew resides in Dennis Township, Cape May County, New Jersey. He has two children. In addition to his political career, Van Drew maintained a dental practice in southern New Jersey for many years, having earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His dual career as a dentist and politician was a feature of his public identity throughout his years in state and local government.

Van Drew's personal and professional roots in Cape May County have been central to his political identity. The region's economy, driven by tourism, fishing, and agriculture, has shaped many of his policy priorities, including attention to coastal environmental issues, support for the region's military installations, and advocacy for local infrastructure.

Recognition

Van Drew's career has been notable for its longevity and for the unusual trajectory of his party switch. His 2018 election to Congress represented a Democratic pickup in a district that had been held by Republicans for more than two decades. His subsequent switch to the Republican Party in 2019–2020 made him one of a small number of members of Congress in modern history to change party affiliation while in office, an event that drew significant national media attention. His campaign finance records and electoral history are documented by the Federal Election Commission[26] and by the National Institute on Money in State Politics.[27]

Van Drew's bipartisan work on veterans' affairs and healthcare legislation, along with his willingness to advocate for ACA subsidies as a Republican, have been noted as examples of his continued moderate-to-independent approach to certain policy areas, even after his party switch.

References

  1. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew Biography".New Jersey Legislature.http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=299.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Jeff Van Drew Biography".New Jersey Legislature.http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=299.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew – Biography".Vote Smart.http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=24685.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "2007 Official General Election Results".New Jersey Division of Elections.https://web.archive.org/web/20110803041741/http://www.njelections.org/results_2007_doe.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "2007 Election Results".Asbury Park Press.November 6, 2007.http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/POLITICS/71106076.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "2011 Official General Election Results – State Senate".New Jersey Division of Elections.2011.http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2011-official-gen-elect-state-senate-results-121411.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew holds on to NJ Senate seat in Cape May County".NJ.com.November 2013.http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/jeff_van_drew_holds_on_to_nj_senate_seat_in_cape_may_county.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "2013 Official General Election Results – State Senate".New Jersey Division of Elections.2013.http://www.njelections.org/2013-results/2013-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "2017 Official General Election Results – State Senate".New Jersey Division of Elections.2017.http://www.njelections.org/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "This NJ representative isn't seeking re-election".NJ.com.November 2017.https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/this_nj_representative_isnt_seeking_re-election.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "New Jersey state senator Jeff Van Drew to run for Congress in 2018".The Daily Journal.November 29, 2017.https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/2017/11/29/new-jersey-state-senator-jeff-van-drew-run-congress-2018/882819001/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "This NJ lawmaker is getting ready to run for LoBiondo's seat".NJ.com.November 2017.https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/this_nj_lawmaker_is_getting_ready_to_run_for_lobio.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "DCCC red-to-blue candidates".Roll Call.https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/dccc-red-blue-candidates.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "New Jersey house race progressives".Politico.April 15, 2018.https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/15/new-jersey-house-race-progressives-523117.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Results: New Jersey Primary Elections".The New York Times.June 5, 2018.https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/05/us/elections/results-new-jersey-primary-elections.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "State Senator Jeff Van Drew, now running for Congress, says he will not vote for current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi".The Daily Journal.June 23, 2018.https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/2018/06/23/state-senator-jeff-van-drew-now-running-congress-says-he-not-vote-current-minority-leader-nancy-pelo/726460002/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew – FEC Candidate Information".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H8NJ02166.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Van Drew Introduce Veterans Bill of Rights to Ensure Every Veteran Receives the Care and Respect They Deserve".Office of Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.November 11, 2025.http://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cherfilus-mccormick-and-van-drew-introduce-veterans-bill-rights-ensure.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Van Drew, Kean call for 'conservative path' to protect ACA tax credits".NJ Spotlight News.October 22, 2025.https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/van-drew-kean-call-for-conservative-path-to-protect-aca-tax-credits/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Van Drew says extend Obamacare subsidies".NJ Spotlight News.December 4, 2025.https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/van-drew-says-extend-obamacare-subsidies/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Pallone & Menendez Say Kean and Van Drew Betrayed NJ by Not Signing Discharge Petition to Protect ACA Premium Tax Credits".Office of Representative Frank Pallone.December 17, 2025.http://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-menendez-say-kean-and-van-drew-betrayed-nj-not-signing-discharge.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Woman who worked for congressman accused of staging politically motivated attack".WHYY.November 20, 2025.https://whyy.org/articles/jeff-van-drew-staffer-staged-political-attack-egg-harbor-new-jersey/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Ex-staffer for New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew charged with staging faked political attack on herself".CBS News.December 4, 2025.https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/jeff-van-drew-natalie-greene-conspiracy-charge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Zack Mullock launches NJ-2 campaign, with some top South Jersey Dems already behind him".New Jersey Globe.February 2026.https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/zack-mullock-launches-nj-2-campaign-with-some-top-south-jersey-dems-already-behind-him/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Jeff Van Who? Winder Town Hall Puts Van Drew's Absence on Blast".Insider NJ.October 8, 2025.https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/jeff-van-who-winder-town-hall-puts-van-drews-absence-on-blast/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew – FEC Candidate Information".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H8NJ02166.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Jeff Van Drew – Follow the Money".National Institute on Money in State Politics.https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=6389812.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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