Van Drew defeats Patterson to win renomination in New Jersey’s 2nd District


Incumbent Jeff Van Drew defeated challenger Bob Patterson to win the Republican primary in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District. As of 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time on July 7, Van Drew had received 81% of the vote to Patterson’s 18% with 36% of precincts reporting.

Van Drew was first elected to the district as a Democrat in 2018 and joined the Republican Party in December 2019. Van Drew said he would work with President Trump and that Trump had endorsed him, while Patterson said Van Drew had not supported President Trump’s agenda during his first term in office. Van Drew will face Amy Kennedy, the winner of the Democratic primary, in the general election. Two forecasters say the race leans towards Van Drew and a third says it tilts towards him.