Rep. Jeff Van Drew ousted by Democrat Zack Mullock

Democrat Zack Mullock is the unofficial winner of a tightly contested race in the 2^nd Congressional District, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in a race between two Cape May County men.

Mullock, the two-term mayor of Cape May, said support across the spectrum made his win possible.

“You know, a lot of people felt their voices weren’t being heard,” he told a cheering crowd at a Cape May victory party late Tuesday. “And believe me, tonight, your voices are being heard.”

Mullock said he benefitted from a grassroots campaign, noting many Republicans appear to have voted for him. He asserted that voters want a return to decency as he stood with his family and Gov. Mikie Sherrill on a stage in the Chalfonte Hotel.

Mullock said his Catholic faith influences his life and was the “guiding light” of his campaign.

Sherrill, who arrived by helicopter, introduced Mullock. The Democratic governor and former congresswoman crowed over the defeat of Van Drew, one of many high-profile Republicans to lose races shadowed by the unpopularity of President Donald Trump.

Van Drew, who was seeking a fifth term in Congress, had conceded the race a short time earlier.

"He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years,” the incumbent said of Mullock.

A longtime New Jersey assemblyman and senator, Van Drew was elected to Congress as a Democrat but switched parties in December 2019 in a dispute with his leadership over impeaching Trump.

Since then, Van Drew and Trump have become close allies.

Trump staged two Wildwood rallies in Van Drew's district, in 2020 and 2024. Van Drew was the only New Jersey congressman to vote against the certification of former President Joe Biden in January 2021.

Sherrill said voters said they would not “tolerate” an elected official with strong loyalty to Trump.

“You know what?” Sherrill asked a crowd of about 200 raucous Mullock supporters. “I came into Congress with Jeff Van Drew. And this is a full circle moment because he came into Congress on a ‘blue wave.’ Yeah. And he left Congress on a blue wave.”

Mullock aggressively tied Van Drew to the president during an often-intense debate at Stockton University on Oct. 22.

“My opponent has sold out South Jersey,” Mullock said. “To data centers. To the war in Iran. To doubling our health insurance prices. All for a pathetic, undying support to Donald Trump.”

Van Drew, a retired dentist, responded that he sought to be connected to constituents and their needs. He listed funding and programs he helped bring to the district, from Coast Guard expansion to beach replenishment.

The 2nd District is the state's largest, sprawling across all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties and covering parts of Gloucester and Ocean counties.

Mullock started Election Day by visiting 12 diners across the six counties.

As the day went on, traffic was light at Cape May City's five polling locations, reflecting the impact of early voting and the diminished size of the off-season population.

At the Kiwanis Club on Beach Avenue, Robyn Carignan said her vote was all about inflation.

“I’m a single mom,” Carignan said. “Don’t make much money. And I can barely put a roof over my head. Rent’s through the roof. So, that’s what’s getting me out.”

Alaina Bradley, a resident voting at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church said she had personal and policy preferences for Mullock.

“We know him through our kids going to school together,” Bradley said. “And I’m a big fan of what he’s done for Cape May.

A Democrat, Bradley said she is very concerned about conditions for immigrants.

“I feel like rights are being chipped away,” Bradley said.

Jenna Babb said she voted “to have my voice heard.”

“Because we fought for this right to vote,” Babb said. “So, definitely very proud to use that right. And, I really like Zack Mullock.”

Unofficial results at time of publication with 98.9% of votes in:

Mullock (D) 51.1% Van Drew (R) 47.9%.

Joe Smith is a senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.