There is already speculation over who might run for an open congressional seat in New Jersey’s 2nd district if Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) decides to seek a seat in the United States Senate.
Van Drew is taking a hard look at a statewide run, either against indicted incumbent Bob Menendez or against the winner of the Democratic primary. Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) is already in the race, and First Lady Tammy Murphy could be next in.
NJ-2 is considered Likely Republican. Van Drew flipped the seat as a Democrat in 2018 with an eight-point margin, held it as a Republican by six points against a well-funded challenger, Amy Kennedy, in 2020, and after redistricting, was re-elected by nineteen points in 2022.
Under the new lines, Trump would have won the district by five points, while 2021 gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli beat Gov. Phil Murphy in the district by an astonishing 21-point margin.
There’s a long shortlist of potential Republican candidates, including three state senators: Michael Testa, Jr. (R-Vineland), Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Township), and Ed Durr (R-Logan). Durr, who ousted Senate President Steve Sweeney two years ago, faces a tough race for re-election this year.
Other potential candidates include: Assembly Minority Whip Antwan McClellan (R-Ocean City); Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Margate); Cape May GOP County Chairman Michale Donohue, a former Superior Court judge; former Barnegat Mayor John Novak; and even two mayors who have a lock on joining the legislature in January, Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato and Stafford Mayor Greg Myhre.
Another possible candidate is businessman Bob Healey, a self-funder who ran against Kim in 2022 and could look at a more Republican district.
Democrats, who drew the map selected by a tiebreaker during congressional redistricting, didn’t draw NJ-2 to be competitive if Van Drew were to leave. Instead, they drew a map aimed at shoring up Democratic incumbents in the 3rd, 5th, and 11th districts.
The current field of Democrats already in the race against Van Drew would likely remain: Joe Salerno, a technology executive; Tim Alexander, a former prosecutor who got swamped against Van Drew two years ago; Carolyn Rush, who exceeded expectations in her 2022 primary against Alexander; and U.S. Coast Guard veteran Brandon Saffold.
Michael Suleiman, the Atlantic County Democratic chairman, could also emerge as a candidate.
Van Drew told SaveJersey that he was considering a U.S. Senate bid.