Gov. Sherrill Bolsters Zack Mullock in High-Stakes Race Against Jeff Van Drew
On the eve of Election Day, Gov. Mikie Sherrill took to the campaign trail in Vineland to rally support for Democratic candidate Zack Mullock, whose bid to unseat GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew has become a focal point in the state’s 2nd Congressional District. The race hinges on whether Democrats can overcome a historically Republican-leaning district reshaped by redistricting.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she’s calling in support for Zack Mullock, the Democrat challenging South Jersey’s Jeff Van Drew https://t.co/dfWcZTkq3Q
According to New Jersey Monitor reporting, early voting numbers show a shift in momentum for Democrats. As of Monday morning, 109,080 voters had cast ballots in the district, with 51,358 Democratic voters participating—up slightly from 2025, while Republican turnout declined. Mullock, the Cape May mayor, framed the data as evidence of growing enthusiasm, noting, “Everywhere we go, people are excited, and they’re willing to jump out and do these canvasses and do these phone banks. I just think it’s hard to measure that energy in a poll. What I’m seeing on the ground is a lot of momentum.”
The Redrawn Map and Van Drew’s Legacy
Van Drew’s path to re-election has been complicated by the district’s 2021 redrawing, which shifted its boundaries to favor Republicans. The district lost municipalities in Camden and Burlington counties but gained Republican portions of Ocean County. New Jersey Monitor reported that Trump won the 2nd District by 13 points in 2024, when Van Drew took it by nearly 17. Despite this, Democrats remain optimistic, citing Sherrill’s involvement and the DCCC’s recent designation of the race as a “target” for the first time.
Van Drew, who first won the seat as a Democrat in 2018 before switching his party affiliation to Republican over what he said was a values split with the Democratic Party, has consistently outperformed challengers. His campaign manager, Ron Filan, dismissed the Democratic surge as a “fundraising ploy,” stating, “The DCCC has about a third of House Republicans on one of their silly wish lists.” Yet the national Democratic strategy—targeting 66 House races, a near-doubling from 2024—suggests the 2nd District is now a priority.
What’s at Stake for Voters and the State
The outcome of this race could signal broader trends in New Jersey’s political landscape. For voters here, the stakes are clear: a win for Mullock could challenge the GOP’s dominance in South Jersey, while a Van Drew victory would reinforce the party’s hold on the region.
For Democrats, the race represents a rare opportunity to flip a seat that has been held by their party for only one year out of the last 30. Yet the challenges are immense. Van Drew’s 2024 margin of 17 points and the district’s redistricting favorability make his re-election likely, even as Mullock’s grassroots energy and Sherrill’s endorsement suggest a closer contest than expected.
Sherrill acknowledged the uphill battle at a Mullock rally, telling voters that while it is a hard place to win, it is possible, and urged them to turn out, adding that every vote counts.
The Devil’s Advocate: Why the Optimism May Be Premature
Van Drew’s campaign argues that Democratic optimism is misplaced. Filan pointed to the district’s history, noting, “We predicted back in June they would follow this same playbook and appreciate them proving us right.” The 2024 election, in which Trump carried the district by 13 points, underscores the challenge. Even Mullock’s own comments—highlighting his belief that voters are “realizing what I realized” about Van Drew—risk alienating moderates who may view the race as a partisan wedge.
Moreover, the DCCC’s designation of the district as a “target” does not come with the funding that the most competitive “Red to Blue” seats get. While the party may deploy staff and outreach, the lack of financial backing could limit Mullock’s ability to counter Van Drew’s established network and media presence.
A Race Shaped by History and Geography
The 2nd District’s transformation since 2018 offers a microcosm of national political shifts. Van Drew’s 2018 victory as a Democrat contrasts sharply with his current persona as a Republican. His switch, which he attributed to “a values split with the Democratic Party,” has solidified his base.
Historically, the district has been a battleground. The 2021 redistricting, which saw the loss of Camden and Burlington counties, further entrenched its Republican lean. Yet the 2024 election also revealed a nuanced electorate: while Trump won the district by 13 points, Sherrill came within single digits of her Republican opponent in the district last year.
Mullock, the Cape May mayor, has positioned himself as an alternative to Van Drew. His campaign’s focus on grassroots mobilization aims to broaden his appeal. But in a district where national figures often dominate the narrative, his ability to connect with voters on the ground will be critical.
The Final Push: Turnout as the Deciding Factor
With polls opening on Tuesday, both campaigns are pivoting to get-out-the-vote efforts. Mullock’s team is leveraging grassroots mobilization, while Van Drew’s campaign is doubling down on attack ads and messaging. The outcome will depend on whether Democratic enthusiasm translates to actual ballots.
For voters, the race is a test of whether the GOP’s dominance in South Jersey can be challenged. For the national Democratic Party, it’s a sign of whether their strategy of targeting “purple” districts can yield results. As Sherrill said, “This is a hard place to win, but we can do it.”
