Political Leaders State Sentiments on Van Drew’s Possible Party Switch

COURT HOUSE – The prospect of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2nd) switching to the Republican Party generated statements from leaders in the county’s two political organizations.
The following are statements issued Dec. 17 by Democrats and Republicans regarding Van Drew:
DEMOCRATS
ATLANTIC CITY – South Jersey Democratic leaders in each of the counties representing New Jersey’s Second Congressional District — Michael Suleiman, Atlantic County Democratic chairman; Brendan Sciarra, Cape May County Democratic chairman; Steven Errickson, Cumberland County Democratic chairman; Steve Caltabiano, Salem County Democratic chairman; Senator Fred Madden, Gloucester County Democratic chairman; Sen. Jim Beach, Camden County Democratic chairman; Joseph Andl, Burlington County Democratic chairman; and Wyatt Earp, Ocean County Democratic chairman — issued the following joint statement Dec. 17 regarding U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s (D-2nd) pending party change: 
“Let’s not mince words. Congressman Jeff Van Drew must return contributions he received since his “NO” vote on President Trump’s impeachment inquiry since he was capitalizing on his relationships with Democrats while planning all along to switch parties. 
Just yesterday as speculation swirled about his intentions, Van Drew had the gall to send out a campaign fundraising solicitation featuring an event with Gov. Phil Murphy, Sen. Bob Menendez, and other key Democratic donors knowing he had just met with President Trump in the Oval Office to switch parties. 
In recent weeks, Van Drew has talked out both sides of his mouth — telling many of us he wanted to remain a Democrat while pitching Republicans at the same time on a party switch. 
He wanted his cake and eat it too. Make no mistake about it, a clear field was never going to happen. 
His refusal to do the right thing would only prove he’s nothing more than a Bernie Madoff-style con artist stealing other people’s money in a scheme to fill his campaign coffers. 
Shameless Van Drew showed he lacked the courage to stand up for the American people and our U.S. Constitution when he officially became a Trump Republican. 
It’s time for Van Drew to man up and do the right thing for once and return every dime he received since he sold us out.” 
REPUBLICANS
COURT HOUSE – Sen. Michael Testa, Jr., Assemblymen-elect Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan, and Cape GOP Chairman Marcus Karavan issued the following statement on reports of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s plans to join the Republican Party:
“Congressman Van Drew has been a moderate voice in the Democrat party for many years. His decision is further proof that the radical, leftist agenda that now guides the Democrats is completely out of touch with the values and concerns of the everyday Americans we serve,” Sen. Testa (R-1st) stated. “This defection should be a wake-up call for the Democratic Party. It’s time to get over your Trump derangement, get down to business, and focus on how we can help law-abiding, hardworking families in New Jersey, and across America.”
This past November, Testa overcame long odds to lead a GOP resurgence in the 1st Legislative District, flipping a New Jersey State Senate seat held by Van Drew and the Democrats for the past 12 years. 
Testa was also recently tapped to serve as the Trump 2020 Co-Chairman in New Jersey.
“Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats have been actively working to impeach our president from his first day in office. The needs of our South Jersey families have been sidelined and neglected. Instead, we get a never-ending, wrong-headed quest to unseat a duly-elected president. I question how any sane Democrat could stay in today’s Democratic Party,” Assemblyman McClellan stated.
“The Democratic Party has moved so far to the left, that even JFK would find no home there in 2019,” Assemblyman-Elect Simonsen stated. “Sensible, lifelong Democrats, who love this country, can no longer abide the America bashing, anti-God and country rhetoric of their own party. Congressman Van Drew’s decision to join the GOP should send a message to elected Democrats across America who are on fence over the impeachment vote. Reasonable Americans see this impeachment as a hyper-partisan farce and voters will make this known loud and clear at the polls in 2020.”
Both Sen. Testa (who chairs the Cumberland County GOP) and Cape May County Republican Chairman Marcus Karavan expressed respect for Van Drew and declared that they would look to President Trump for guidance as the expected party switch plays out in the coming days.
“Our county organizations’ relationship with Mr. Van Drew is long and complicated, to say the least,” Chairman Karavan stated. “We have had our differences, but have also worked together many times, crossing the aisle for the better of our common constituents. Cape GOP strongly supports President Trump and will give all appropriate deference to the President’s ultimate position with regard to the Van Drew party change.”
“The eyes of the nation are on this story and it is important that our response and reaction to it, be measured, coordinated, unified and respectful,” Testa stated. “After discussions with our municipal leaders and those in Washington, we have mutually agreed to follow President Donald J. Trump’s lead on this issue. We expect all county committee members and local, elected Republicans will join us in this prudent position that embraces our president’s leadership while respecting our bylaws and electoral process.”