Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock is acknowledging that his bid for Congress will be an uphill climb, but he says the 2nd District is ready for a change — and he's faulting U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew and President Trump on policy as he makes his case to voters.
Mullock, who pulled off an unexpected primary victory in June, is challenging Van Drew in November for the U.S. House of Representatives seat representing the sprawling 2nd District. The race has drawn attention across Cape May County and beyond, with the candidates' differences on the issues taking center stage.
The mayor's message centers on the idea that the district — which stretches across a wide swath of South Jersey — is ready for new representation in Washington. He has pointed to policy disagreements with both Van Drew and Trump as key reasons he's running.
Van Drew, meanwhile, has pointed to his record in office as he seeks another term. The contest also includes a Vineland resident who has entered the 2nd District race, adding another name to the November ballot.
The 2nd District's size presents a special challenge for candidates, requiring them to cover a lot of ground and connect with voters across many communities. For Cape May County residents, the race offers a chance to weigh in on who will represent their interests in Congress.
As the campaign moves toward November, Mullock's pitch is simple: the district is ready for change. Whether voters agree will be decided at the ballot box.
