By Bob Fertsch
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew on Wednesday, January 23rd. The Flanders Hotel ballroom was full as Jeff Van Drew took the podium. The freshman Congressman didn’t waste any time with small talk. He took the elephant in the room head on. Van Drew spoke at length about his party switch and what led him to the Republican party after his political assent as a Democrat.
“Even in my early years in politics in Dennis Township, some thought I was too moderate or conservative to be a Democrat. My beliefs never changed as I became Dennis Township Mayor, then County Freeholder and then Assemblyman. When I ran for Congress, national issues came up, including my stance on the leaders in Washington. I thought Nancy Pelosi was done. That her time has come and gone. I expressed how I would vote on her and followed though.” He added, “I also made it clear when I was running that impeachment is a really big deal. It should not be taken lightly. This act could split up the country. Millions of people voted for President Trump. Impeachment takes their vote away. I made it known that unless I found something clearly illegal that impeachment would hurt the country. I voted no. “
Van Drew went on to talk about a Republican he looked up to. “Ronald Reagan is an inspiration to me. He brought our country together with a renewed sense of patriotism. I have a large picture of him in my office. Reagan often described America as a shining city on a hill. I completely agree. We are an exceptional people. Some Democrats believe everyone in the world is the same. Many in my former party feel Americans are no better than citizens of other countries. I understand we all live in world created by God, but I also believe Americans are special. We are the greatest country. I have respect for our leaders. I was bothered by some comments made to me after my vote. A fellow Democrat said “Do you know what’s wrong with you? You don’t have enough hate in your heart. You don’t hate Republicans enough. You don’t hate the President enough”.
He described his meeting with the county committee chairperson, without mentioning his name. “This person said I must vote for impeachment. He was trying to force me to vote for something I did not believe in to gain his organization’s reelection support. I call that a Quid pro quo!”
Van Drew went on to describe his interaction with the president. “Amazingly, the very same day an assistant to the President called for a meeting with me. Donald Trump heard what I was saying about impeachment. Van Drew described the president as very calm in the meeting. In the meeting Jeff made the decision to switch to the Republican party. The president was overjoyed.” In describing Trump’s response, “He said let’s announce it today and we’ll have a rally next week in Southern New Jersey where I will publicly endorse you.” Laughing, Van Drew recalled what he said next. “I must tell my wife first.” He then added, “And now my wife is Republican too.”
