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Van Drew’s Once-Safe NJ Seat Looks Competitive as GOP Allies Mount Defense

Big Democratic swings in recent specials plus backlash to an AI data center have shifted the calculus.

Overview

  • A New Jersey Republican, Chris Venis, launched the National Policy Action Committee to boost Rep. Jeff Van Drew and warned the race will be competitive.
  • Democrats lined up four contenders for the June primary to challenge Van Drew: Tim Alexander, Zack Mullock, Terri Reese, and Bayly Winder.
  • Special elections nationwide show large Democratic gains, including a Georgia race where the GOP margin fell by 17 points compared with Marjorie Taylor Greene’s 2024 result.
  • State trends add pressure as Gov. Mikie Sherrill won reelection in 2025 and Donald Trump lost New Jersey to Kamala Harris by about six points.
  • Van Drew won by 17 points in 2024 in a district that backed Trump by nearly 13 points, yet falling presidential approval now makes a flip plausible.