Van Drew foe remains on Dem primary ballot

A bid by political newcomer Terri Reese to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) in New Jersey’s 2nd district remains alive after a bid to toss her from the Democratic ballot failed.

Reese had filed with 573 signatures, and the voter who challenged her, Christopher Hohmuth, needed to disqualify 74 of them to remove her from the race.

After an ten hour court hearing today, Administrative Law Judge Mamta Patel struck 66 of Reese’s signatures, leaving her with 507 – seven more than the statutory requirement.  Patel upheld 70 signatures that Hohmuth had challenged.

It’s still not clear who tried to remove Reese from the ballot.  The challenge was filed late last week by Hohmuth, but his attorney, Zachary Klein, declined to identify which candidate his client was supporting.

Four Democrats are facing off in the June 2 Democratic primary to run against Van Drew, a four-term incumbent: Tim Alexander, who is making his third congressional run; Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock; former Biden administration official Bayly Winder; and Reese.