VAN DREW’S PARTY SWITCH NO SURPRISE TO DEMS

“Since holding elected office in the state legislature, Congressman Van Drew’s position on important issues has always been far right and out-of-step with the values of the Democratic Party. Democrats cringe at his opposition to sensible gun control laws, same sex marriage and raising the living wages of working people.  Voting against the impeachment inquiry was the tipping point that ended his standing with democrats,” said Cape May County Democratic Chairman Brendan Sciarra.

Sciarra noted Van Drew would have lost his seat in an upcoming primary challenge.  “Van Drew would have certainly faced a primary that would have unified all factions of the democratic party against him, effectively ending his political career.  You simply can’t put the interests of Donald Trump ahead of the values of your party,” Sciarra said.

Sciarra predicted that Van Drew’s departure will energize the democratic base in the county and the district.  “People are angry.  After all the years of hard-work and modest donations from regular people, Van Drew has turned his back to advance the Trump agenda.  I expect this anger to ignite voter enthusiasm.  It will bring democrats and independents from all political spectrums together to end the divisiveness that is tearing our country apart,” said Sciarra.

Sciarra remarked that south jersey democrats are excited going into next year’s election.  “The Trump factor that Van Drew is relying on isn’t as strong as he anticipates.  Trump only won the district by 5 points when Obama won it by eight.  I suspect Trump won’t fare so well in 2020 and it will be a very good year for democrats,” Sciarra concluded.