Winder posts $191k Q1 for Van Drew challenge

Bayly Winder, one of four Democrats seeking the 2nd congressional district nomination against Rep. Van Drew (R-Dennis), raised $191,000 in the 1st quarter of 2026, his largest single fundraising quarter yet.

A former USAID official, Winder has been, and is likely to remain, the most prolific fundraiser in the Democratic race; he’s raised more than $640,000 since launching his campaign last summer, and his campaign said he ended the 1st quarter with $240,000 on-hand. The June 2 primary, however, is still set to be hotly contested between Winder and two of his foes.

“I’m humbled that the work that we are putting into this campaign is being reflected in the 3,800+ individuals willing to come out and support my candidacy,” Winder said in a statement. “This is a people-powered campaign and we haven’t taken a cent of corporate PAC money. South Jersey is ready to give Van Drew the boot!”

One of Winder’s main opponents, civil rights attorney Tim Alexander, has raised very little money – around $37,000 as of the end of last year – but remains a serious contender thanks to the connections he made during his 2022 and 2024 campaigns for the same seat. Alexander has the official party endorsement in four of the 2nd district’s six counties, which will likely provide a boost in a low-profile race.

The other, Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock, entered the race much later than Winder or Alexander, but quickly earned some key supporters. Mullock announced in February that he had raised $200,000 during the first week of his campaign.

Van Drew, for his part, remains the favorite for re-election despite increased Democratic interest in his seat, and ended 2025 with nearly $1.2 million on-hand.