Van Drew chief of staff is a Jones vote for state chairman

Update: Van Drew chief of Staff Allison Murphy has resigned her seat on the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

The defection of Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-Dennis) to the Republican Party could directly impact the race for New Jersey Democratic State Chairman between incumbent John Currie and Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr.

The Democratic State Committeewoman from Cape May County is Allison Murphy, who is Van Drew’s longtime chief of staff. 

She has one-half vote in the race for state chairman, and a New Jersey Globe Tally has her in the Jones column.

It is not immediately clear whether Murphy will switch to the GOP along with her boss.  State party by-laws are clear that all state committee members must be Democrats.

If Murphy does not switch parties, it would mean that Van Drew would be a Republican congressman with a Democratic State Committeeman running his congressional office — and perhaps his re-election campaign.

Cape May County Democrats could still fill Murphy’s seat if she resigns in time.

The Democratic State Committee is down 1.5 votes — both for Jones — in the last week.  Bill Robinson of Monmouth County stepped down after news that he had been arrested for stalking in 1996 became a political issue.