Hurley Line: Right Now it Looks Like Van Drew Versus Polistina for Congress – District 2

Hurley Line: Right Now it Looks Like Van Drew Versus Polistina for Congress – District 2
By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist
We broke the news that United States Congressman Frank LoBiondo, R-2 will not be seeking re-election in 2018. At the completion of his current term, LoBiondo will have served a record 12 terms (24 years).
It was one of the biggest stories of 2017. For those who thought that LoBiondo would leave early, that’s not going to happen. He intends to serve his entire current term.
However, the sweepstakes for this coveted seat has begin in earnest. That’s because it is the nature of electoral politics, but, also because this seat has been unattainable for nearly a quarter-of-a-century.
There is one absolute front-runner as the campaign begins: Senator Jeff Van Drew, who is the most non-partisan elected official you will ever find in our current 50-50 divided nation.
Van Drew has won every local, county and state position available to him. Should he win the Congressional seat, it will culminate one of the most successful public service/electoral careers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Burlington, Camden County and Gloucester, Ocean and Salem Counties history.
The Second Congressional District is one of the most sprawling in the nation; compiled of 8 Counties and 92 municipalities. In addition, the amount of combined geographic territory is also one of the largest in the nation.
LoBiondo’s record of constituent service has been exemplary. He followed another legend, Bill Hughes, Sr. And, Van Drew, or, whomever wins the seat will be following a legend in LoBiondo.
In other words, this district has been served by two men for the past nearly half century. Hughes, a Democrat. LoBiondo, a Republican. The next occupant has some very big shoes and a great tradition of public service to follow.
Van Drew is prepared and he’s very popular with Democrats, Independents and many Republicans. He has consistently won races that no other Democrat could have even considered possible. When Van Drew started winning at the County and State levels more than two decades ago, he became the second Democrat since Reconstruction to do so.
Not only has Van Drew been successful in getting himself elected. He has carried a series of unknowns to big wins at the state level. That’s called “coattails” and it’s very rare in electoral politics.
The leading Republican at this time is former New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Polistina. Polistina is an excellent candidate, who also shown the ability to raise money. This will prove to be essential because Van Drew is a prodigious fundraiser, who also has the formal backing of New Jersey Democratic Power Potentate, George E. Norcross, III.
When a candidate has Norcross’ support, they don’t always win. But, they almost always win. Norcross is enthusiastically backing Van Drew for the Congressional seat.
Polistina is also a candidate from central casting. He’s got the resume and the good looks, too. He is a successful business-owner, who knows what it’s like to sign the front of a check. He meets a regular weekly payroll and he well knows how government negatively impacts small business owners in America.
Were it not for the exceptional and unique nature of Van Drew, Polistina would be the early favorite.
Soon-to-be former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian is also seriously looking at a potential run as a Republican.
On the Democratic side, Tanzie Youngblood is running an aggressive campaign for the June 5, 2018 Democratic Nomination. Youngblood is both a widow and Blue Star Mother.
She has dedicated her life to education and expanding opportunities for children and has more than 30 years of experience in the classroom.
Democrat Sean A. Thom is also running for the position. Thom is also an educator and he’s running unapologetically as a progressive Democrat
Without a doubt, Youngblood and Thom will be running to the far left of Van Drew. Thom is already aggressively campaigning that “Van Drew has shown time and time again he is not a Democrat; instead he is a career politician who does not espouse the values of our party.”
Strong words, no doubt. However, they don’t square with reality. Van Drew has already received the formal endorsements of all eight (8) Democratic Party County Chairman in the District. In addition, Van Drew has already earned some coveted local and County endorsements including: Atlantic City Mayor-elect Frank Gilliam and Atlantic County Freeholder Ernest Coursey.
Coursey is the highest elected African-American in Atlantic County.
Despite facing Democratic candidates, who will be making a cottage industry out of declaring that Van Drew is not “Democrat-enough,” Van Drew will roll to victory in the June 5, 2018 Democratic Primary Election.
The scary part for Republicans in this upcoming election cycle is the fact that Van Drew is an even better General Election candidate.
As has been the case for than a quarter-of-a-century, we will be providing you with the best election insight and breaking news.
The race for the next Congressman for District 2 will be a very interesting ride; both the Republican and Democratic Primary elections.
As of now, the most likely General Election match-up is Van Drew versus Polistina.
Harry Hurley is the president of Harry Hurley Consulting and Communications, LLC. He hosts the daily talk radio program “Hurley in the Morning” 6-10 a.m., weekdays on Townsquare Media, WPG Talk Radio 104.1 FM & 1450 AM, where he also serves as the senior programming consultant. Harry was elected to both the Philadelphia (2014) and New Jersey (2015) Radio Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He has hosted various programs for local television and is the editor and publisher of his news and information website, www.harryhurley.com. Send comments to HarryHurley@aol.com
 
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