Who's running and top issues: What to know about NJ's 2nd Congressional District primary
The June 7, 2022 district primary elections present both Republican and Democratic voters with multiple choices.
NJ 2nd Congressional District Candidates
Republicans
Jeff Van Drew, the incumbent, is a retired dentist living in Dennis Township seeking a third term. He is a former Democrat who changed party affiliation in protest over Democratic Party positions. His traditional approach is to stress legislation affecting South Jersey and a bipartisan approach.
Challenger John Barker is a resident of Bayville, Ocean County. A U.S. Army and N.J. National Guard veteran with a medical services background, he has a degree in applied science and technology, and has owned two small businesses.
Challenger Sean Pignatelli is a resident of Fortescue in Downe Township, where he also is a candidate for the Township Committee. He is a Carpenter’s Union member and owner of a small business. One reason for entering politics is the loss of his older brother to a drug overdose in 2020.
Democrats
Attorney Timothy C. Alexander of Galloway Township opened a private legal practice after a stint as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He is a retired detective captain of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. This is his first run for a seat in the Congress.
Carolyn Rush is a Sea Isle City resident and a former Medford resident. This is her first run at a seat in the Congress. She is an engineer and project manager for defense contractor Lockheed Martin. She is on leave from work for the campaign.
District makeup
The southernmost district in New Jersey includes the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem and parts of the counties of Gloucester and Ocean.
Top issues
Van Drew is a harsh critic of Democratic policies on COVID, China, and immigration security, calling them threats to the nation.
Barker and Pignatelli question Van Drew's Republican loyalties. Barker calls himself the only true conservative running. Veterans assistance programs is one area of agreement among them.
Barker, alone, takes a “pro-life” position on abortion. He views the top national problem as "self-inflicted" inflation. Like Van Drew, he believes parents of public school children need their rights protected against liberal activist teachers.
Pignatelli supports police reform, but not cutting their funding. He is vocal on women’s rights, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights, and supportive of teachers unions.
Alexander and Rush started out as part of a three-way field. Alexander since then has picked up significant party support, including endorsement of former Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy, and also leads in raising money.
Both candidates are vocal on women’s rights, climate change, police reform, race relations, and drug laws. Rush alone delves into foreign policy on Israel, calling for separate Israeli and Palestinian states.
Priorities
Van Drew supports expanded sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, firing the secretary of Homeland Security, ending restrictions on oil and gas production; ending all COVID mask mandates, and passing the My Child, My Choice Act on parental educational rights.
Barker's proposals generally deal with domestic policy. He supports passage of The Fair Tax Act of 2021 and the Guard and Reserve G.I. Bill Parity Act of 2021.
Pignatelli supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a federal Paid Family Leave program; and the Equality Act. He also wants federal protection of Italian Americans’ civil rights and supports term limits for federal lawmakers.
Alexander and Rush support legislative action on pay “fairness,” “gender equity,” paid family leave, and voting regulation. Both take a pro-choice position on abortion.
Alexander proposes greater federal government involvement in addressing gun violence cases. He also calls for expanded rail and bus services.
Rush also calls for middle class tax cuts, a federal “living” minimum wage; universal pre-school and kindergarten; competitive drug pricing legislation; and federal incentives for solar, wind power.
Money raised
Van Drew easily outstrips his opponents in cash-on-hand, reporting to the Federal Election Commission at least $2,184,105.41 raised. Barker has not filed with the FEC because he has not reached the reporting threshold. Pignatelli is not accepting contributions.
Barker has raised $260,482.40, versus $51,168.54 for Rush.
In their words
Van Drew: “America is on the precipice as a result of failure after failure from what I regularly refer to as the worst President and the worst majority Congress in history and we need to bring our country roaring back.”
Barker: “The greatest economy in the world is driven by energy, and energy production. America needs to be energy independent.”
Pignatelli: “There is no reason whatsoever under any circumstance that a child in New Jersey (or in any state for that matter) should be subjected to criteria about gender identity or sex. Anything falling within these pentameters for the parents to decide at their own discretion.”
Alexander: “We need new leaders focused on leadership, not partisan politics.”
Rush: “We must ensure the privacy rights we’ve enjoyed for 50 years will remain for future generations of American women. It requires working across the aisle.”
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 primary election 2022: 2nd Congressional District candidates
