Kennedy hires Van Drew’s old campaign manager

Joshua Roesch, who had been managing Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s re-election campaign before resigning last month, will be the campaign manager for Amy Kennedy’s campaign.

Kennedy, a former public school teacher and wife of former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district.  She wants to run against Van Drew, who announced in December that he was switching parties after being one of two Democrats to vote against impeaching President Donald Trump.

Roesch disillusioned by Van Drew

Roesch, a Cumberland County native, quit as Van Drew’s campaign manager after the freshman congressman told his staff that he was becoming a Republican.

“As someone who was born and raised in this district, I originally wanted to work for Jeff Van Drew because I thought he’d represent the Democratic ideals I believe in,” Roesch said.  “But when Jeff switched parties last month and pledged his undying loyalty to Donald Trump instead of the people of South Jersey he was elected to represent, he betrayed those ideals and everything I thought we were working for.”

Roesch grew up in Stow Creek and worked on campaigns for Democrats in Virginia and New Hampshire, including a stint as New Hampshire Democratic Senate Caucus Director.

Kennedy one of five candidates for the Democratic nomination

“I wanted to work for the person who I thought would best represent the district I grew up in. I know Amy Kennedy’s that candidate because she’s dedicated to serving people in our community and doing what’s right,” said Roesch. “Amy Kennedy won’t turn her back on South Jersey families like mine.”

Kennedy faces political science professor Brigid Callahan Harrison, Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett, West Cape May Commissioner John Francis III and retired FBI Agent Bob Turkavage for the Democratic nomination.