Booker calls for Democrats to mobilize against Van Drew after party switch

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Monday called on his followers to donate money in a bid to unseat Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (N.J.) after Van Drew announced over the weekend that he will switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.  

“@VanDrewForNJ has put his re-election prospects ahead of his duty at a time of crisis in our country,” Booker tweeted. “Let’s bring courageous leadership back to NJ-02—please donate to support his eventual Democratic challenger.”

.@VanDrewForNJ has put his re-election prospects ahead of his duty at a time of crisis in our country. Let’s bring courageous leadership back to NJ-02—please donate to support his eventual Democratic challenger: https://t.co/19u7MwGXg9

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 16, 2019

Booker linked to an ActBlue fundraiser page for the eventual Democratic nominee in Van Drew’s Atlantic City-area district.

Van Drew, who endorsed Booker’s 2020 presidential bid, reportedly made the decision to switch parties after a Friday meeting with President Trump. He has been one of the only House Democrats to vocally oppose the House’s impeachment inquiry, and was one of only two, along with Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.), to vote against House impeachment rules.

After the report of Van Drew’s party switch, five aides, including his spokesperson, announced their resignation. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairwoman Rep. Cheri Bustos (Ill.) tweeted a job offer from the DCCC to the aides Monday morning.