EMILYs List targets Van Drew
New Jersey Globe: EMILYs List targets Van Drew
By: Nikita Biryukov
A group devoted to getting women into elected office will seek to oust Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) this year.
EMILYs List is targeting the South Jersey Congressman along with 26 other House Republicans, the group announced Tuesday.
“When faced with an unprecedented health crisis, these members all voted against the American Rescue Plan, which aimed to expand vaccine distribution, increase the child tax credit, reopen schools, and support the economy,” said Emily Cain, the group’s executive director. “They have abandoned the women and families in their districts in their unyielding attempts to restrict abortion access and defund Planned Parenthood, which millions of Americans depend on for life-saving medical care.”
Van Drew was a right-of-center Democrat in the legislature for years before joining the Republican Party in December 2019.
Democrats viewed him as a top target last year, though the congressman defeated a challenge from Amy Kennedy without great difficulty, securing a six-point margin.
Kennedy received $5,000 from Emily’s List last year.
“It is clear that these House Republicans are actively impeding progress, and must be voted out,” Cain said. “EMILYs List is actively targeting these flippable districts and we look forward to replacing each of these members with Democratic pro-choice women who will better the lives of their constituents.”
The congressman’s campaign said EMILYs List was throwing away money by setting eyes on New Jersey’s second congressional district.
“While it should come as no surprise that a Washington DC based Democrat special interest group will once again be wasting their money targeting this district, Congressman Van Drew remains focused on helping hard-working middle-class families here at home by getting our economy moving again, our children back in school, and continuing to fight for a Strong America and a Strong South Jersey,” Van Drew campaign manager Ron Filan said.
