Booker drops Van Drew from endorsement list

Cory Booker has removed Rep. Jeff Van Drew from his list of elected officials who have endorsed his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Van Drew told his staff that he is planning to switch parties and is expected to seek re-election as a Republican.  Van Drew was certain to face the loss of Democratic party support after announcing plans to vote against the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

In a tweet earlier today, Booker accused Van Drew of putting his “re-election prospects ahead of his duty at a time of crisis in our country.”

Booker did not take sides in the 2018 congressional primary when Democrats were picking a candidate to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Frank LoBiondo, a twelve-term Republican.

Three other Democrats – all to the left of Van Drew – ran in that primary, including former Booker Senate staffer Will Cunningham.

Van Drew endorsed Booker on February 21.

“I am proud to endorse Senator Booker’s bid for the presidency. While he and I don’t agree on every issue, he has shown time and again that he’s relentlessly focused on building bridges and working together to get things done for the people of New Jersey, and for every American,” Van Drew said. “His record of bipartisan accomplishment and message of bringing Americans together regardless of their backgrounds or political views is something this country desperately needs.”