South Jersey’s freshman congressman Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd, will be at the center of national attention and in a tiny minority of Democrats on Thursday, when he votes against the impeachment inquiry of President Donald J. Trump.
“I don’t know if you are ever prepared for it,” Van Drew said of the attention he has gotten, as one of just a few Democrats who remain opposed to the attempt to oust Trump from office.
He’s turned down invitations to be on national news shows this weekend to discuss impeachment, Van Drew said Wednesday. Instead he’ll attend a conference in New Hampshire, as he had long planned to do.
Michael McAdams, national press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, sent out an email to supporters Wednesday about Van Drew.
South Jersey residents do not support the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump…
“Jeff Van Drew has gone out of his way to criticize Democrats’ efforts to impeach President Trump, but that won’t save his reelection hopes,” said the email. “Van Drew will be forced to vote ... and will be alienating either the battleground voters who oppose impeachment or his socialist base hellbent on removing President Trump from office. It’s a lose-lose for JVD.”
Van Drew is up for re-election next year, at the same time as Trump, and has long said the people should decide Trump’s fate next November.
“I understand certain things said by the president can make people feel uncomfortable,” Van Drew said. “At the same time, it’s also been clear we have a year until an election.”
State Sen. Bob Andrzejczak, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, has a 14-point lead over Repub…
In addition, he said all the time, money and distraction spent on impeachment will be for nothing, because while the Democrat-dominated House will likely vote to impeach, the Republican-dominated Senate is unlikely to convict.
“So at the end of the day, what we will have is a failed impeachment,” Van Drew said, adding that less attention is being paid to addressing issues like drug prices, health care, veterans issues and election security. “I’m not sure what we’ve gained by putting everyone through all this.”
But it will certainly further erode bipartisanship, he said.
And if something “new, different or extremely significant comes up that is truly impeachable,” Van Drew said — something that points to treason — he will reconsider his stance.
“No matter what you do, a whole lot of people are going to be mad at you,” Van Drew said. “I have to do what I feel is best.”
President Donald Trump’s tweet thanking Congressman Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd, for opposing impea…
The 2nd Congressional district covers much of South Jersey and is about evenly split over impeachment, according to a recent Stockton University poll. It also voted for Trump in 2016.
Only 46% of people polled in the eight southern counties favored continuing the impeachment inquiry, and 47% said they opposed it. When the poll asked whether they support impeaching now, that number dropped to 33% in support and 46% opposed.
“South Jersey is more rural and more conservative than most of the rest of the state,” said John Froonjian, interim executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton. “The 2nd has always been seen as a Republican-leaning district.”
It’s not the first time Van Drew will have bucked his party. Van Drew’s first vote on the floor of the House, on his first day in office, was a “no” vote regarding Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.
It was changed to a vote of “present” by House authorities, however, because under House rules he could only vote by name for a particular person.
Van Drew called impeachment — which negates the will of the people who voted a president into office — one of the most serious actions a government can take, behind only war.
“We in the last few decades have spoken more and toyed more and danced around impeachment more than we did in the rest of our history,” Van Drew said. “That’s not a way to run government. It doesn’t mean you like Donald Trump or support him or vote for him. It just means you’ve got to be careful.”
A look back at U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew's career
PLAYGROUND

Trying out a new slide are Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, Middle Township Committeeman Chuck Leusner and Francey Burke, vice president of Jersey Cape Rotary. April 16, 2003
-- HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES --
PARTMAYOR_VAN_DREW.50948

Jeff Van Drew, the mayor of Dennis Township who is also a dentist, with a patient, Bill Talarico, of Northfield, at his Pleasantvilled office Thursday 10/5/00. Some believe towns are better served by politicians with separate lives. For others, this precarious balancing act is a detriment to democracy.
VANDREW

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew speaks to a class called Effective Telemarketing, at the Atlantic Cape Community College, in Mays Landing, Wednesday 1/15/03. Van Drew is a critic of the telemarketing industry and sponsor of no-call legislation..
VANDREW.65161

VANDREW-Candidate Robert Balicki (right) drops out of the race for Jeff Van Drew(left-) as Jeff Van Drew speaks at podium on the steps of Millville City Hall -Aug/28/01-VANDREW - Cape May County Freeholder Jeff Van Drew announces his bid for a First District Assembly seat. Candidate Robert Balicki had said he may quit his race to make room for Jeff Van Drew.
VANDREW

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew holds a copy of his legislative bill as he speaks to a class called Effective Telemarketing, at the Atlantic Cape Community College, in Mays Landing, Wednesday 1/15/03. Van Drew is a critic of the telemarketing industry and sponsor of no-call legislation..
TWOPARTY.22000

TWOPARTY — League of Women voters forum on the health of two-party system in Cape May County. Get pix of two speakers and a crowd shot to go with reporter story. WEDNESDAY 11/18/98 Here , Jeff Van Drew makes a point.
MV-PROTEST

Senator Jeff Van Drew, left, addresses protesters outside of the Motor Vehicle Service in Vineland, Friday May 30, 2008. Governor Corzine wants to close this location.
VANDREW

Jeff Van Drew speaks with Millville residents Barbara Webb and David Coggins during Millville's bicentennial at City Hall Saturday, March 23, 2002. (acp photo/Mary Godleski)
INAUGURAL.71713

From left, Assembymen Nicholas Asselta, Jeff Van Drew, Frank Blee and Paul D'Amato listen during the inaugural ceremony for Governor James E. McGreevey at the War Memorial, in Trenton, Tuesday 1/15/01.
VANDREW.74938

Shore Mall Reading - Van Drew is presented with a "Cat in the HatÓ reading hat by Terri Stackhouse (Co-chair of the event - left) and Michele Yakopcic ( ACCEA President). 03/23/02 Saturday. Assemblyman Jeff VanDrew, reads to kids at Shore Mall Reading Event, Shore Mall, EHT.
AIRPORT.81689

AIRPORT ----- Here , Assemblyman John J Burzichelli, Dem of Gloucester , and Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew at a press conf at the Cape May County Airport......Jeff Van Drew along with assemblymen John J. Burzichelli and Douglas H. Fisher introduce legislation aimed at curbing corruption at the DRBA, which runs the county airport. ....TUESDAY 08/06/2002
MARINA.76442

Assemblyman Van Drew on the steps of his Cape May Court House office talks of Marina Bay Condos in North Wildwood ......Assemblyman Van Drew has news regarding Marina Bay Towers complex in North Wildwood. He will be at 21 N. Main St in CMCH to make the announcement. Could get photo of that and/or a photo of the complex itself, which ever would be better......TUESDAY 04/23/2002
1STDISTRICT.68606

1STDISTRICT --- Here , candidate Joseph Brezlin congratulates Jeff Van Drew as he arrives at the HQ ......Cape May county Democrats HQ will be here. Get shots of winning Dems for story on 1st district election results.... TUESDAY 11/06/2001
BABBOTT

BABBOTT-LTR-Buena Vista Twp.mayor CHUCK CHIARELLO,Assemblyman JEFF VAN DREW,Assemblyman NICK ASSELTA,Buena Mayor JOE BARUFFI, and Buena regional Superintendent of schools Dr.DIANE DeGIACOMO at press conference at Buena regional high school about districts lack of ABBOTT funding and high School taxes -BABBOTT 2/25/2003 1:00 pm Assemblymen Nick Asselta and Jeff Van Drew will join Mayor Joe Baruffi of Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township Chuck Chiarello of BVT and Dr. Diane DeGiacomo, supt. of Buena Regional School District to discuss recent decision of DOE Commissioner Libera to deny Abbott or Special Needs status to the school district.
WWGRANTS

Lynne Krukosky, Executive Director of Cape Assist Community Resource Center signs a grant check of $400, 000 as, 1st District Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, President of the Board of Cape Assist Tom Frisoli Jr., and Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin look on in Wildwood, August 19, 2002. (acp photo/Mary Godleski)
LEVOY

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew hears the concerns of Joseph Pierce, Sr., director, and Amanda Page, community liason of the Levoy Theatre Preservation committee following a tour of the vacant theatre on High Street in Millville, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002. (acp photo/Mary Godleski)
WWGRANTS

Wildwood Mayor Duane Sloane, Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin walk down Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, Monday, August 19, 2002. (acp photo/Mary Godleski)
SUBWAYCARS.76454

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew asks a question during the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hearing on dumping subway cars off the coast, Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002, in Somers Point.
WWGRANTS

President of the Board of Cape Assist Tom Frisoli Jr., signs a grant check of $400, 000 as Lynne Krukosky, Executive Director of Cape Assist Community Resource Center, 1st District Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, and Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin look on in Wildwood, August 19, 2002. (acp photo/Mary Godleski)
TAXPROTEST

TAXPROTEST -------Here , Jeff Van Drew (center) talks with Robert and Cynthia Progner , owners of the Seacrest Inn at the rally in front of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce in Cape May Court House............Cape May County chamber of commerce staging a county-wide protest against a state proposal to levy a 7 percent room tax on vacation motel stays. Get art of rally. This was moved from the original Wildwood location! .... TUESDAY 04/15/2003
AIRPORT.81684

AIRPORT ----- Here , Jeff Van Drew at a press conf at the Cape May County Airport......Jeff Van Drew along with assemblymen John J. Burzichelli and Douglas H. Fisher introduce legislation aimed at curbing corruption at the DRBA, which runs the county airport. ....TUESDAY 08/06/2002
FARMS.82454

FARMS - -Assemblyman JEFF VAN DREW(left) tours Vineland Farmer KEVIN FLAIMÕs(right) Panther brand farm packinghouse on Panther rd. in vineland-Thurs.Aug22/02-FARMS-Assemblyman Robert Smith and Jeff Van Drew wil host farm tour through Cumberland and Gloucester Counties. They will visit various farms.
Fisheries

State Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Sherrie Preische, executive director of the New Jersey commission on science and technology, met with leaders of the fishing industry in Southern New Jersey, to discuss how more research and development money could be spent on the fishing industry. Gregory DeBrosse (center) shows VanDrew the upwelling nursery tanks at the shellfish research center in Middle Township on the Delaware Bay. Michael Doebley of the Recreational Fishing Alliance looks on. Monday August 13, 2004, (Press of Atlantic City/Dale Gerhard)
WELCOME

WELCOME ------ Here , Master Sgt David Beun , holding his 4 yr old daughter , Marissa , rides with Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew , on the top of a Seaville Volunteer Fire Company truck in the parade in his honor.......... The family of Master Sgt. David Beun, who's been deployed with the 108th National Guard, is holding a welcome home parade on Somers Avenue starting at noon and a backyard barbecue at 3 Sea Grape Lane to follow. ART ONLY of parade or barbecue. .... SUNDAY 05/18/2003
VANDREW.65164

VANDREW-Democrat Jeff Van Drew speaks at podium on the steps of Millville City Hall -Aug/28/01-VANDREW - Cape May County Freeholder Jeff Van Drew announces his bid for a First District Assembly seat. Candidate Robert Balicki had said he may quit his race to make room for Jeff Van Drew.
FREESWEAR.54159

Dr. Jefferson Van Drew takes the oath of office as the newest member of the Cape May County Board of Choosen Freeholders as Woodbridge mayor James McGreevey delivers the oath. 1/5/2001 ac press/Dale Gerhard
South Jersey Indian Association donated to Community FoodBank

Renate Taylor, development officer of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and Congressman Jeff Van Drew said a few words during the event of South Jersey Indian Association, donating to the Foodbank in Egg Harbor Township on Tuesday. Dec.18, 2018 (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)
121118_nws_repollet

Sen. Jeff Van Drew, left and Dr. Lamont Repollet, right Commissioner New Jersey Department of Education speaks to school officials during a round table discussions at Wildwood High School Monday Dec 10, 2018. Press of Atlantic City / Edward Lea Staff Photographer
Democratic Party Election Night

U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Van Drew gave his victory speech at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City. ‘Thank you South Jersey!’ he tweeted at 10:01 p.m. upon declaring victory over Republican Seth Grossman.
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(5) comments
Van Drew’s vote is no surprise.
He has been consistently been someone with no core of integrity or principle.
No matter that Trump is shredding our Constitution and Democracy. Committing treason in the service of Putin by withholding military aid to the Ukraine to defend themselves against Russian expansion!
It’s all about VD’s next move up the political food chain.
No surprise if he gets a big appointment in the Trump regime.
I thought when I went into the voting booth last November I had voted for the Democratic ticket. I believe 40 house seats were gained as a result. I realize it was dark in the booth when I voted, so I'll have to be very, very careful next November. when I vote.
Did somebody say "primary challenge?"
What can you expect from someone lacking a central core of integrity and decency. His type have been seen throughout human history, the enablers of evil.
[thumbdown] I guess Van Drew wants to be a one term Congressman. The Dems who helped him gain his seat need to find another viable candidate to back next year.
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