Jefferson Van Drew
Republican Representative of New Jersey's 2nd district
Representative
New Jersey, district 2
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
New Jersey, district 2
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
New Jersey, district 2
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025
3
Congresses Served
3
House Terms
February 23, 1953 (71 years old)
Birthday
- Served as U.S. representative for New Jersey’s 2nd congressional district since 2019
- Initially elected as a Democrat, switched to the Republican Party in 2020
- Held various public offices before Congress, including fire commissioner, town committee member, Mayor of Dennis Township, New Jersey, and Cape May County Freeholder
- Served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and in the New Jersey Senate from 2008 to 2018
- Opposed the first impeachment of Donald Trump, leading to his party switch
- Supported attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election
- Born in New York City, educated at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, and operated a dental practice for 30 years
- Made support for a local community college a major campaign issue as a Cape May County Freeholder
- Announced intention to run for re-election in the 2024 elections, declining a run for the U.S. Senate
- Voted against the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump and was one of two Democrats to vote against both articles of impeachment
- Signed an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, contesting the 2020 presidential election results
- Voted against removing Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee positions and supported ousting Liz Cheney from House Republican leadership
- Voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with 12 other House Republicans
- Supported the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, requiring women to register for the draft, and voted for the ALLIES Act to increase visas for Afghan allies
- Opposed the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, and was against Sweden and Finland joining NATO
- Co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and initially supported then opposed the Respect for Marriage Act
- Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
- Committee assignments include the Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure
- Described as one of the most conservative Democrats in the New Jersey Senate before switching parties
- Has a history of supporting gun rights, including a 100% rating from the NRA during his congressional primary campaign
- Initially voted against legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey and later had mixed votes on LGBTQ+ rights legislation
- Opposes offshore drilling on the Atlantic coast and has taken actions to protect the environment in specific contexts
- Describes himself as pro-life, supported Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court’s overturning, and opposes late-term abortions