This from the Press of Atlantic City this morning: Brigantine’s Amy Kennedy formally launched her campaign Monday to be the Democratic candidate to challenge Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, after his party switch and ‘no’ vote on impeachment of President Donald Trump.

“Too many of our leaders have lost their moral compass. Trump and Van Drew are symptoms of a bigger sickness infecting our country and our politics,” Kennedy said in a video announcing her run on a new campaign website. “Doing what’s right shouldn’t be complicated… Treat one another with respect. Show some compassion. And look out for others.

InsiderNJ reported this last month:

Kennedy, an educator and mental health advocate from Brigantine, is expected to open an exploratory committee today as she undertakes a period of examination during the holidays about a possible run for Congress in the 2nd District.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s (D-2) decision to switch parties from Democrat to Republican with the blessing of President Donald J. Trump prompted Kennedy to scrutinize the situation.

“I’m taken totally off guard by Van Drew and this week’s news cycle,” Kennedy told InsiderNJ. “There’s a lot to consider.”

Kennedy said she would take the holidays to figure it out. If she concludes she is the best candidate for this particular race and sees a way to win, she will run, she said.

A 14-year veteran public school teacher who champions social and emotional learning and mental health at the Kennedy Forum, her father was a councilman in Absecon. Her husband is former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I), son of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.

“I’ll know better after the holdiays if that’s a viable course,” Amy Kennedy told InsiderNJ in reference to a congressional run. Her husband is supportive, and told InsiderNJ he believes his wife is the best candidate for the district.

It turns out she believes it is the best thing to run.

Right now, the Democratic field to vie for the seat includes Montclair State University professor Brigid Harrison, who has lined up the support of six of the eight county Democratic chairs in the second district; Atlantic County freeholder Ashley Bennett; West Cape May Councilman John Francis; and former FBI agent Robert Turkavage of Brigantine, a former Republican who switched to Democrat.

Republicans pursuing the seat include incumbent Van Drew, businessman David Richter, movement conservative Bob Patterson, and engineer Brian Fitzherbert.