Pres. Trump, Phil Murphy, More React To Jeff Van Drew Joining GOP

Plenty has happened in Jeff Van Drew's district area during the past month. Republicans took the state senate and both state assembly seats from Democratic incumbents in November's election in New Jersey District 1. Protests supporting impeachment of President Donald Trump took place near Congressman Jeff Van Drew's Mays Landing office.

Now Van Drew will reportedly switch from the Democratic to the Republican party. Van Drew only voted against the majority of House Democrats 12.1 percent of the time, according to ProPublica's measurement. But he has strayed from Democrats on key issues, such as his opposition to impeaching Trump.

Read more: NJ Congressman Reportedly Switching From Democrat To Republican

Van Drew has not officially announced the party switch, which means many political figures might be keeping their reactions private at the moment. But politicians across the board and at all levels have already reacted.

In Washington

Van Drew had a lengthy meeting Friday in which President Trump urged him to join the GOP, according to the Washington Post. President Trump praised Van Drew's party switch Sunday morning.

Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler told ABC's "This Week" that his party isn't concerned about Van Drew's decision.

“What he's reacting to is public polling that shows he can't get renominated,” the House Judiciary Committee chairman said. “His electorate in his district is 24 percent to renominate him and 60 percent to nominate somebody else."

Nadler is likely referencing a poll regarding Van Drew regarding likely Democratic primary voters, not the general electorate. The poll showed 69 percent of the voters more likely to support Van Drew next election if he voted to impeach President Trump once the inquiry concludes. Seventy-one percent said they were less likely to support Van Drew for reelection if he voted against impeachment after the inquiry.

State Officials React

Governor Phil Murphy blasted Van Drew on Twitter, even criticizing the congressman's past record. Murphy said Van Drew "has long voted against core Democratic values" and that the party switch is "cynical and desperate."

Senate President Steve Sweeney called Van Drew's party switch a "betrayal."

"Jeff Van Drew's decision to switch parties is a betrayal to every voter who supported him in 2018 – Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated," Sweeney said. "But now he is out of the Democratic Party and, in November, we are going to take him out of Congress. We flipped the 2nd District from Republican to Democrat last year and we will do it again next year."

Local Level

Cape May County Republicans said if Van Drew becomes a Republican, they'll welcome him. Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, Vice Director Leonard C. Desiderio, Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson, County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti and Cape May County Sheriff Bob Nolan issued a press release:

"His principled stand against the highly partisan impeachment process by Democrats against President Trump took enormous courage and risk," the announcement says. "We will wholeheartedly welcome Congressman Van Drew to our Republican Party should he ultimately decide to become a Republican."

The Cape May County Democrats have not released an official reaction. They last posted on social media Sunday morning, as of this article's publication. The post centers around Bill of Rights Day, which is Dec. 15, sites limits to governmental power.

"The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power," the post says.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.