Interview: Rep. Jeff Van Drew on Getting the Two Parties to Work Together

After previously serving in the New Jersey state Senate, Jeff Van Drew was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2018, following the retirement of longtime Republican congressman Frank LoBiondo. Rep. Van Drew was one of the Democrats elected in 2018 in a district that had been carried by President Trump two years prior. During his time in the New Jersey state legislature, then-Senator Van Drew gained attention for remaining independent from party-line votes, including on issues such as firearms and the gas tax. During his time in Congress thus far, Rep. Van Drew has served on the House Committee on Agriculture, prioritized the issue of addressing scam phone calls, and been known for seeking out bipartisan answers. He joins Merion West editor Erich Prince to discuss representing a swing district, appealing to constituents of all political persuasions, and how Washington can become more bipartisan.

Getting started, Congressman, can you give an introduction to New Jersey’s 2nd district and share a bit about your background?

The 2nd district is a sprawling district and a very diverse district and a very different district in the state of New Jersey. It makes up about 40 percent of the state geographically, so it is the largest geographic district in the state. It extends all the way from the border of Delaware and Salem County down to Cape May and Cape May Point, over to Atlantic City, and up to Ocean County, so the net result is that I have all-of-or-part-of 8 counties and 92 towns. So you meet all kinds of people.