Jefferson Van Drew

Jefferson "Jeff" Van Drew is the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, first elected in 2018 as a member of the Democratic Party before joining the Republican Party in late 2019. Born in 1953, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and a Doctor of Dental Medicine from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Before entering federal politics, he practiced dentistry in South Jersey for over 30 years and held several local and state offices, including Mayor of Dennis Township and a member of the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Van Drew's legislative career in New Jersey spanned nearly two decades, with service in the General Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and the State Senate from 2008 to 2018. He was known as a moderate-to-conservative lawmaker during his time in the state legislature. In 2018, he won the congressional seat previously held by long-time Republican Frank LoBiondo. His political transition to the Republican Party occurred in December 2019 after he broke with Democrats to oppose the first impeachment of President Donald Trump. In the House of Representatives, Van Drew has been a member of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. His legislative focus has frequently addressed issues relevant to the South Jersey region, including coastal protection, veterans' affairs, and the local fishing and agricultural sectors. Since switching parties, he has increasingly aligned his voting record and public statements with the platform of the Republican Party, emphasizing constitutional conservatism and support for the former president.

Healthcare: Van Drew opposes "Medicare for All" and government-mandated healthcare systems, instead supporting private insurance market solutions and the protection of individuals with pre-existing conditions. He has also advocated for the elimination of federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors. Economy: He supports fiscal conservatism, including tax reductions and the reduction of federal spending to manage inflation. He has consistently championed policies intended to achieve American energy independence. Immigration: He emphasizes strong border security and has voted in favor of the construction of physical barriers and enhanced technology at the U.S. border while opposing "sanctuary" policies. Environment and Energy: While he has historically supported conservation projects, he has more recently become a prominent critic of large-scale offshore wind energy developments, citing concerns regarding their environmental impact and financial costs. Foreign Policy: His record reflects an "America First" perspective; while he supported the ALLIES Act for Afghan partners, he has voted against multi-billion-dollar aid packages for Ukraine and opposed the expansion of NATO to include Sweden and Finland.