Van Drew wins GOP primary in New Jersey

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) won the Republican primary in New Jersey’s 2nd District on Tuesday, heading to a high-profile contest in November after leaving the Democratic Party last year. 

Van Drew, previously a dentist, won with 81 percent the vote, with 36 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press. He prevailed over former Trump administration official Robert Patterson, who received 19 percent.

The first-term lawmaker has emerged as a top target for became a Republican and opposed President Trump’s impeachment.

Van Drew is set to face former teacher Amy Kennedy, who prevailed over political professor Brigid Callahan Harrison in the Democratic primary.

Van Drew defeated Republican Seth Grossman by nearly 8 points in 2018 for an open seat vacated by the retirement of Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), who had held the 2nd District seat for more than two decades.

The district, which President Trump won in 2016 by under 5 points, is rated as “Lean Republican” by nonpartisan prognosticator The Cook Political Report.

The New Jersey primaries were originally scheduled for June 2, but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The state sent over three and a half million prepaid ballots to registered voters to reduce the number of in-person voters.