Democratic challenger in NJ-2 brings in $170k in first week

Bayly Winder, a Democratic challenger to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), said in a release Tuesday that he raised more than $170,000 in the first week of his campaign.

Winder, a former official at the now-shuttered U.S. Agency for International Development, is running to flip South Jersey’s 2nd congressional district. The Democrat said more than 450 individuals contributed to his campaign before the end-of-quarter deadline at 11:59 p.m. last night. 

“We launched this campaign with a simple message: ‘South Jersey deserves better,’” Winder said in the release. “In just seven days, hundreds of people from across this district and beyond have stepped up to say they’re ready for a new generation of leadership—one that puts country over politics and fights for working families, not political convenience.”

Winder is one of two Democrats, the other being Terri Reese, who are already seeking to unseat Van Drew. Several others are reportedly looking at joining the race, including previous Democratic nominees for the seat.

The press release compared Winder’s first-week haul to previous Democratic candidates in the seat, including 2024 nominee Joe Salerno, who reportedly raised $95,000 in his first month. Winder’s campaign argues the fundraising total shows strength that could catapult him past Van Drew. Regardless of who wins the primary, the eventual nominee will need to prove the district is winnable before they’re likely to receive significant resources from state and national Democrats — strong independent fundraising is a key piece of that puzzle.

Van Drew entered the second quarter of 2026 with $817,000 in his campaign coffers.