History of Jeff Van Drew in Timeline
Jefferson H. Van Drew is an American politician and a dentist who has been representing New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. Initially elected as a member of the Democratic Party, Van Drew switched to the Republican Party in 2020, making headlines with his decision. His career in politics is marked by this significant party affiliation change, reflecting shifts in his political alignment and the broader political landscape in the United States.
February 23, 1953: Birth of Jefferson H. Van Drew
Jefferson H. Van Drew was born on February 23, 1953. He would later become an American politician and dentist, serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district.
1983: Dennis Township Fire Commissioner
From 1983 to 1986, Jeff Van Drew served as the Dennis Township Fire Commissioner, an early role in his public service career.
1986: End of Fire Commissioner term
Jeff Van Drew concluded his role as Dennis Township Fire Commissioner in 1986, having served since 1983.
1991: Service on Dennis Township Committee
In 1991, Jeff Van Drew served on the Dennis Township Committee, marking an early step in his political career.
1994: Mayor of Dennis Township
In 1994, Jeff Van Drew began serving as the Mayor of Dennis Township, a role he held until 1995 and later from 1997 to 2003.
1994: Advocate for Community College
In 1994, Jeff Van Drew, as a Cape May County Freeholder, made support for a local community college a central campaign issue, promoting educational development in the area.
1995: Republican Representation Begins
In 1995, Republican Frank LoBiondo began representing New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, a position he held until his retirement announcement in 2017.
1995: First Democrat to Represent District since 1995
Jeff Van Drew was noted as the first Democrat to represent New Jersey's 2nd congressional district since 1995, highlighting a significant political shift in the district.
1995: End of first mayoral term
Jeff Van Drew's first term as Mayor of Dennis Township concluded in 1995, after which he would return to the position in 1997.
1997: Return as Mayor of Dennis Township
Jeff Van Drew resumed his role as Mayor of Dennis Township in 1997, serving until 2003.
2000: Reelected to Cape May County Freeholder
In 2000, Jeff Van Drew was reelected to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, where he served until 2002.
2002: Elected to New Jersey General Assembly
In 2002, Jeff Van Drew was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 1st legislative district. This marked the beginning of his tenure in the New Jersey Legislature.
2002: Groundbreaking for Atlantic Cape Community College
In 2002, ground was broken for the future site of the Atlantic Cape Community College campus in Cape May County, a project supported by Jeff Van Drew during his tenure as a freeholder.
2002: Start of General Assembly service
Jeff Van Drew began serving in the New Jersey General Assembly in 2002, representing the 1st Legislative District until 2008.
2003: End of second mayoral term
In 2003, Jeff Van Drew ended his second term as Mayor of Dennis Township, completing his service in this local government role.
November 6, 2007: Elected to New Jersey Senate
On November 6, 2007, Jeff Van Drew was elected to the New Jersey Senate, defeating Republican incumbent Nicholas Asselta.
2007: State Senate Campaign and NRA Support
During his 2007 State Senate campaign, Jeff Van Drew received financial support from the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun organizations, reflecting his alignment with pro-gun policies.
2008: Election to New Jersey Senate
In 2008, Jeff Van Drew transitioned from the New Jersey General Assembly to the New Jersey Senate, continuing to represent the 1st legislative district.
2008: Obama Wins 2nd Congressional District
In 2008, President Barack Obama won New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, an area known for its political shifts.
2008: Continued NRA Support
In 2008, Jeff Van Drew received additional financial contributions from pro-gun organizations, including the NRA, reinforcing his stance on gun rights.
2008: Transition to New Jersey Senate
In 2008, Jeff Van Drew transitioned from serving in the New Jersey General Assembly to the New Jersey Senate, continuing his representation of the 1st Legislative District.
2008: Sponsorship of Fair Market Drug Pricing Act
In 2008, Jeff Van Drew sponsored the Fair Market Drug Pricing Act, aiming to establish the New Jersey Rx Card Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
2010: Sponsorship of Handgun Legislation
In 2010, Jeff Van Drew sponsored legislation that would allow residents to carry a handgun, subject to background checks and training requirements, highlighting his support for gun rights.
November 2011: Reelection to New Jersey Senate
In November 2011, Jeff Van Drew was reelected to the New Jersey Senate, defeating Republican challenger David S. DeWeese.
2012: Vote Against Same-Sex Marriage Bill
In 2012, Jeff Van Drew was one of two Democrats to vote against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey, reflecting his socially conservative stance at the time.
2012: Vote Against Minimum Wage Increase
In 2012, Jeff Van Drew was the only Democrat to vote against raising the state minimum wage above the federal minimum. He also highlighted support for children's health insurance and net neutrality on his campaign site.
2013: Reelection Campaign and Marriage Views
During his 2013 reelection campaign, Jeff Van Drew was promoted by a conservative group for his support of 'traditional marriage', distinguishing his views from his Republican opponent who supported same-sex marriage.
2013: Another Senate Reelection
In 2013, Jeff Van Drew was reelected to the New Jersey Senate, defeating Susan Adelizzi Schmidt by a significant margin.
2013: Vote Against Gun Control Bills
In 2013, Jeff Van Drew was the only Democrat to vote against a set of ten gun control bills following the Sandy Hook shooting, despite supporting expanded background checks and regulation for silencers.
November 7, 2017: LoBiondo Retirement Announcement
On November 7, 2017, Republican Frank LoBiondo announced his retirement, creating an open seat in New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, which Jeff Van Drew would later contest.
November 29, 2017: Van Drew Announces Candidacy for Congress
On November 29, 2017, Jeff Van Drew announced his candidacy for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, seeking to bring economic opportunity and good jobs to South Jersey.
February 2018: Included in Red to Blue Program
In February 2018, Jeff Van Drew was included in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue program, which provided resources and support to candidates in competitive districts.
2018: End of New Jersey Senate tenure
Jeff Van Drew concluded his service in the New Jersey Senate in 2018, after serving from 2008 to 2018, representing the 1st legislative district.
2018: Van Drew Voices Strong Support for Roe v. Wade
In 2018, Van Drew expressed strong support for Roe v. Wade, emphasizing his opposition to any attempts to weaken abortion rights.
2018: District Political Shift in 2018 Midterms
In 2018, The Cook Political Report changed the rating of New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 'Safe Republican' to 'Toss-Up' following Frank LoBiondo's retirement announcement.
2018: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2018, Jeff Van Drew was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, defeating Republican Seth Grossman with 52.9% of the vote.
2018: Committee Service in Senate
During the 2018–19 session, Jeff Van Drew served on several committees in the New Jersey Senate, including as chair of the Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
2018: Conclusion of Senate tenure
In 2018, Jeff Van Drew concluded his tenure in the New Jersey Senate, having served from 2008 to 2018.
October 2019: Opposition to Impeachment Inquiry
In October 2019, Jeff Van Drew announced his opposition to the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, setting the stage for his later votes against the inquiry and impeachment articles.
October 31, 2019: Vote Against Impeachment Inquiry Rules
On October 31, 2019, Jeff Van Drew, along with Collin Peterson, was one of only two Democrats to vote against the rules for an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. This vote indicated his opposition to the impeachment process at the time.
November 2019: Vows to Remain Democrat Amid Impeachment
In late November 2019, despite his opposition to Trump's impeachment, Jeff Van Drew vowed to remain a Democrat, highlighting his stance amidst party tensions.
December 2019: Switch to Republican Party Announced
In December 2019, Jeff Van Drew announced his switch to the Republican Party after a meeting with Trump and facing discontent from Democratic voters, which led to significant political changes in his career.
December 18, 2019: Vote Against Impeachment Articles
On December 18, 2019, Jeff Van Drew was one of two Democrats who voted against both articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. It was already known before the vote that Van Drew intended to switch parties.
December 19, 2019: Public Announcement of Party Switch
On December 19, 2019, Jeff Van Drew publicly announced his decision to join the Republican Party, expressing his 'undying support' for Donald Trump. As a consequence, Trump endorsed Van Drew for reelection.
2019: Service as U.S. Representative begins
In 2019, Jeff Van Drew began serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district. He initially served as a member of the Democratic Party.
2019: Introduction of the Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act
In 2019, Jeff Van Drew joined Republican John Rutherford to introduce the Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act, aiming to prohibit seismic air gun testing in the Atlantic Ocean. This action aligns with his stance against offshore drilling on the Atlantic coast.
January 7, 2020: Official Party Switch
On January 7, 2020, Jeff Van Drew officially switched his party affiliation to Republican, marking a significant shift in his political career.
August 2020: Speech at Republican National Convention
In August 2020, Jeff Van Drew spoke at the Republican National Convention, discussing his relationship with former Democratic colleagues and expressing support for Trump's reelection.
December 2020: Support for Texas v. Pennsylvania Lawsuit
In December 2020, Jeff Van Drew was one of 126 Republican House members to sign an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election results. An error in the filing incorrectly listed his district as being in South Carolina.
2020: Van Drew Expresses Support for Pro-Life Stance with Exceptions
In 2020, Van Drew publicly stated his stance on abortion, expressing that he was pro-choice but opposed late-term abortions.
2020: Reelection to Congress as Republican
In 2020, Jeff Van Drew was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives, this time as a Republican, defeating Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy.
2020: Switch to Republican Party
In 2020, Jeff Van Drew switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party after opposing the impeachment of Donald Trump.
January 6, 2021: Objection to Electoral Vote Certification
On January 6, 2021, Jeff Van Drew was among 147 Republican lawmakers who objected to the certification of electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. This occurred after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, prompting an emergency recess of Congress. Van Drew later reported receiving a death threat due to his objection.
January 2021: Voting Alignment with Trump
As of January 2021, data showed that Jeff Van Drew voted with Donald Trump 27.5% of the time during his congressional career, including a 100% alignment with Trump's position in the 117th Congress.
February 4, 2021: Vote Against Removing Marjorie Taylor Greene
On February 4, 2021, Jeff Van Drew voted against a resolution to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from her House committee positions due to her controversial remarks and conspiracy theories.
May 2021: Vote to Oust Liz Cheney
In May 2021, Jeff Van Drew joined the majority of Republicans in voting to remove Liz Cheney from House Republican leadership, criticizing her leadership style as divisive and not conducive to unity within the caucus.
July 2021: Vote for ALLIES Act
In July 2021, Jeff Van Drew voted in favor of the bipartisan ALLIES Act, which aimed to increase special immigrant visas for Afghan allies of the U.S. military and reduce application backlogs. The measure passed the House overwhelmingly.
September 2021: Vote for National Defense Authorization Act
In September 2021, Jeff Van Drew was among 135 House Republicans who voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which included a provision for requiring women to register for the draft.
November 5, 2021: Vote for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
On November 5, 2021, Jeff Van Drew was one of 13 House Republicans who voted alongside Democrats to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, breaking with his party on this significant legislation.
July 19, 2022: Vote for Respect for Marriage Act
On July 19, 2022, Jeff Van Drew was one of 47 Republican representatives to vote in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which aimed to codify same-sex marriage rights in federal law.
November 2022: Voting Alignment with Biden
As of November 2022, Jeff Van Drew had voted with President Joe Biden's position 24% of the time in Congress, reflecting his stance on various legislative issues.
December 8, 2022: Vote Against Final Passage of Respect for Marriage Act
On December 8, 2022, Jeff Van Drew voted against the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act as amended by the US Senate, despite his earlier support for the initial version of the bill.
2022: Van Drew Criticizes Leaking of Dobbs v. Jackson Draft Opinion and Supports Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Following the leak of Justice Samuel Alito's draft opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Van Drew criticized the act, suggesting it was intended to influence the Supreme Court's decision. He later supported the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating his personal pro-life stance and advocating for states' rights to determine abortion laws.
2022: Vote Against Ukraine Aid Package
In 2022, Jeff Van Drew voted against H.R. 7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which proposed $40 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine.
2022: Reelection to Congress
In 2022, Jeff Van Drew was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the general election with 59.3% of the vote against Democratic nominee Tim Alexander.
December 8, 2023: Announcement for 2024 Reelection
On December 8, 2023, Jeff Van Drew announced his intention to run for reelection in the 2024 elections, opting not to pursue a U.S. Senate run.
2023: Sponsorship of My Child, My Choice Act
In 2023, Jeff Van Drew sponsored H.R.216, the My Child, My Choice Act. The bill aimed to revoke federal education funding for schools that do not require parental consent before teaching lessons on gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies.
2023: Vote Against Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, Jeff Van Drew was among 71 Republicans who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.