Jeff Van Drew faces Timothy Alexander in second district congressional contest
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BRIDGETON — The 2nd Congressional District race features U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a two-term Republican, facing first-time candidate Timothy C. Alexander, a Democrat, in a contest playing out across the southernmost swath of New Jersey.
Both Van Drew and Alexander decisively saw off opponents to win their June 7 primary elections to advance to the general election. Alexander was endorsed by the unsuccessful 2020 Democratic congressional candidate. His primary race was a tighter contest than Van Drew had.
Van Drew, a Dennis Township resident and retired dentist, first won the district in the 2018 election. He ran then as a Democrat after the long-time Republican incumbent decided not to seek another term.
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A lifetime Democrat at the time, he had emphasized a middle-of-the-road political philosophy as a very successful state assemblyman and state senator in the 1st New Jersey Legislative District. That image was seen in his party as a significant electoral advantage in the congressional arena, as it generally reflected the preferences of a majority of district voters.
In December 2019, Van Drew switched political affiliation to the Republican Party. That decision came after steadily rising tensions with Democratic officials and public denouncements of his party’s left-leaning political positions. He won his 2020 re-election campaign as a Republican.
Like his predecessors, from both major parties, Van Drew has focused attention on South Jersey-specific federal issues such as environmental regulations, fishing regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration presence, and general economic development.
Alexander, a Galloway Township resident, is a private practice attorney following time as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. His legal career follows a law enforcement career from which he retired as a detective captain at the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Van Drew stresses a “strong America,” saying that begins with the economy, oil and natural gas production development, secure borders, and environmental safeguards. The incumbent also is a 2nd Amendment advocate and with other Republicans sent letters to credit card companies regarding reports they will be tracking gun owner transactions.
Van Drew also advocated for protection of parental rights in public schools. For this election, he announced he would not seek an endorsement from the New Jersey Education Association, attacking the teachers union for supporting COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates as well as teaching about "gender identity and sexual orientation."
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On his campaign website, Alexander refers to himself as the “pro-choice” congressional choice, reflecting his position on abortion. He calls for federal action addressing pay levels for women, stating pay gaps by gender are unjustified, and for federal promotion of paid family leave programs.
Alexander’s other platform areas include ones economy related, such as a call for “massive” public transit expansion; on gun control, including “extreme risk protection orders” and background checks; on “social justice and civil rights,” inclusive of police training, ending racial and religious profiling; support for LGBTQ Plus advocacy; and affordable health care.
There are two other candidates on the ballot.
Michael Gallo of Lower Township in Cape May County is the Libertarian Party candidate. He formerly was a manager in a casino, later starting a business that he has operated for 30 years.
Anthony Parisi Sanchez of Millville is an unaffiliated candidate with a “Not For Sale” ballot slogan.
The 2nd Congressional District includes Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. It also takes in portions of Gloucester and Ocean counties.
Election Day is November 8.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: NJ elections 2022: Jeff Van Drew faces Timothy Alexander
