“I'm Not Going to Go Away”: Jeff Van Drew Reflects on Stunning Election Defeat After Decades in Public Office

The longtime South Jersey political figure refuses to blame Trump or Republican leadership, defends his decisions and wishes successor Zack Mullock success.

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. — After more than three decades in public office and four terms representing South Jersey in Congress, Republican Jeff Van Drew stood before supporters Tuesday night and acknowledged an election defeat that few political observers had anticipated.

There was no prepared speech, no attempt to blame President Donald Trump or Republican leadership, and no announcement of retirement from public life.

Instead, the 73-year-old congressman reflected on his career, defended the decisions that shaped it and promised that his voice would continue to be heard.

"I'm not going to go away," Van Drew told supporters gathered at the Oar House in Sea Isle City following his defeat by Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, the mayor of Cape May.

"That doesn't mean I'm running for office again," he continued. "I'm going to be around."

The remarks came after Van Drew conceded the race for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, ending his bid for a fifth term in Washington and marking a major political upset in a district that had been considered favorable to Republicans.

“Sometimes Life Is Bumpy”

Van Drew opened his concession speech by acknowledging the difficulty of the moment.

"It is truly, sincerely good to see all of you," he told supporters.

He explained that he had not prepared remarks, something he said was typical of his speaking style.

"I guess I'd start out by saying sometimes life is bumpy," Van Drew said.

"It's not always easy. And you have challenges before you. And you can't blame other people for that."

He then addressed the question of responsibility for his defeat.

"I'm not going to blame Donald Trump. I'm not going to blame the speaker. I'm not going to blame anybody."

Van Drew said he remained proud of his political career and the decisions he had made.

"I've made decisions in my life and I'm proud of them. And I have fought hard. I have fought hard for South Jersey, for New Jersey, and for the United States of America."

His comments came after a campaign in which Mullock and Democrats emphasized Van Drew's relationship with Trump, a political alliance that became a defining feature of his congressional career.

A Political Career Spanning More Than Three Decades

Van Drew's defeat represents the end of a lengthy career in elected office that began in Cape May County.

A dentist by profession, he served as mayor of Dennis Township during portions of the 1990s and early 2000s.

He also served on the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders before winning election to the New Jersey General Assembly.

Van Drew served in the Assembly from 2002 through 2007 and the New Jersey Senate from 2008 until his election to Congress.

In 2018, he won the 2nd Congressional District seat as a Democrat, succeeding retiring Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo.

The following year, Van Drew became one of the most prominent figures in national politics when he opposed the first impeachment of President Trump and announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party.

He subsequently joined the Republican Party and became a vocal supporter of Trump.

The party switch transformed his political identity and reshaped the congressional district's political landscape.

Van Drew went on to win reelection as a Republican in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

In 2024, he won by a comfortable margin, contributing to expectations that he would be difficult to defeat in 2026.

Political analysts had rated the district as favorable to Republicans before the race became increasingly competitive in the final weeks.

Mullock's victory therefore represents not only a change in congressional representation but also the defeat of a politician who had repeatedly demonstrated an ability to win elections under two different party affiliations.

Van Drew Congratulates Mullock

Despite the disappointment, Van Drew publicly acknowledged Mullock's victory and wished him success.

He told supporters he had already contacted his Democratic opponent.

"Just so you know, I've already conceded," Van Drew said.

"He is and will be our new congressman for the next few years. And I wish him the very best. I wish him success."

Van Drew then offered a message about the responsibilities that come with public office.

"His success is our success."

Mullock's victory returns the congressional seat to Democratic control for the first time since Van Drew switched parties.

The result was particularly striking because Mullock, despite serving as Cape May's mayor, lost Cape May County to Van Drew.

The Democratic challenger overcame that deficit through stronger performances elsewhere in the district, including Atlantic and Cumberland counties.

“I Made Decisions, and I Stand by Them”

Van Drew's political career has been marked by significant decisions, none more consequential than his change of party affiliation.

During Tuesday's speech, he did not revisit the details of that decision, but he made clear that he had no regrets about his broader political choices.

"I made decisions, and I stand by them, and I'm proud of them, and I would never change any of them ever," he said.

"I believe in them."

Van Drew also expressed concern about the direction of the country.

He described the United States as facing a difficult and challenging period and called on Americans to remain engaged in public affairs.

"I'm telling you, Lady Liberty is crying out for help. This nation's in trouble," he said.

He criticized political viewpoints that he believes conflict with the nation's founding principles, although he did not identify specific politicians or policies during that portion of his remarks.

Van Drew invoked former President John F. Kennedy, former President Theodore Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill while urging supporters to remain committed to their beliefs.

Drawing on Roosevelt's well-known message about perseverance in the face of defeat, Van Drew emphasized the importance of continuing to participate even when circumstances become difficult.

He closed that portion of his speech with a message associated with Churchill.

"So I say to all of you, never give up. This journey just begins."

What Comes Next for Van Drew?

One of the most revealing moments of the speech came when Van Drew discussed his future.

For someone who has spent much of his adult life in public office, the prospect of leaving elected government presents a major personal and professional transition.

Van Drew acknowledged that he does not yet know what he will do next.

"I'm not sure. I'm not good at just tinkering around the house and driving my wife crazy," he joked.

"So I'm going to do something. And I'm not talking about running for anything or any of that."

Later, he returned to the subject and made clear that leaving Congress would not mean withdrawing from public debate.

"I have strong feelings about lots of issues, and I have strong feelings about America and American exceptionalism and what we have to do," he said.

"And I am still going to speak out about all that."

Van Drew said he intends to take time to consider his options.

"But in the interim, I'm going to organize my thoughts and my ideas and decide what's next."

He did not announce plans to seek another elected office, join a political organization or pursue a specific professional opportunity.

An Emotional Tribute to His Staff

Van Drew devoted a substantial portion of his remarks to thanking the people who worked alongside him.

He praised his staff in Washington and New Jersey, describing relationships that had grown beyond ordinary professional connections.

"My staff, my staff in Washington, my staff here in New Jersey, they're the best," he said.

"I love you guys, and I do. It's more than a friendship. It's more than us just working together through thick and thin."

He singled out longtime associate Ronnie Finer for his loyalty and perseverance.

"Ronnie's been the best," Van Drew said.

"He works so hard, and he's a tough man. He's a real guy. People should emulate his strength even in the face of adversity."

Van Drew also praised his chief of staff, whom he said he had known since she was five years old and who had worked with him for more than two decades.

"She is tough. She is strong. She is smart. And I am so proud to be associated with her."

The personal acknowledgments underscored the relationships Van Drew built during his decades in government.

He also reflected on his life outside politics, mentioning his successful dental practice and family.

"God's been so good to me. I've been in elected office. I've been a dentist," he said.

"I had a successful practice. I have a wonderful family. There's nothing to be sad about."

Accepting the Election Result

Van Drew ended his speech with a message about accepting the outcome of the democratic process.

Rather than portraying the election as a catastrophe, he encouraged supporters to maintain perspective.

"Nobody here died tonight," he said.

"Nothing horrible has happened. This is the American process, and we have to accept it."

The remarks stood out in a speech that combined disappointment, patriotism, personal reflection and determination.

Van Drew had entered the election seeking another two years in Congress after winning four consecutive congressional races and building a lengthy political career in South Jersey.

Instead, he will leave office in January after a defeat that surprised political observers and changed the direction of the 2nd Congressional District.

For Mullock, the result represents the beginning of a new chapter in Washington.

For Van Drew, it marks the conclusion of one of the region's longest political careers in elected office — but, according to his own words, not the end of his involvement in the issues that have defined it.

"I'm not going to go away," he told supporters.

"And I am still going to speak out about all that."