Jeff Van Drew's Defection to the GOP Has Everything to Do With Local New Jersey Politics

WNYC News | Dec 20, 2019

New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew has officially flipped from Democratic party to the GOP. He met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week and pledged his "undying support" to the president, who in turn said he'd endorse Van Drew in the 2020 election.

WNYC's Nancy Solomon says Van Drew had to make switch to get a shot at keeping his seat — not just because his district voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but because New Jersey's mighty top-line of the ballot would have limited his chances to win as a Democrat.

Now, several Democrats are also thinking about getting in the race, including Montclair State University professor Brigid Callahan Harrison, who's been endorsed by several members of the Democratic Party machine run by George Norcross, and Amy Kennedy, the wife of former Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

Listen to Solomon's conversation with host Jami Floyd, above.

Correction: The text above has been changed to reflect that George Norcross has not publicly endorsed Brigid Callahan Harrison, only elected officials tied to his party machine have done so.

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