Jeff Van Drew, Democratic Rep. outspoken against Trump impeachment, expected to switch parties, source says

Rep. Jeff Van Drew is contemplating the change as he struggles in New Jersey politics. Inner polling has proven he was shedding main help from Democrats within the district, Democratic sources informed CNN on Saturday. Switching events would permit Van Drew to keep away from a Democratic main problem for his seat.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday blasted the change, saying Van Drew is “keen to allow Donald Trump simply to attempt to salvage his personal election.”

“Betraying our values by siding with Donald Trump is the ultimate straw and made it unimaginable for him to proceed being supported by our celebration, as grassroots activists, native celebration leaders in his district, and I’ve made clear in current weeks,” Murphy, a Democrat, mentioned in a press release. “This celebration change is cynical and determined, and I’m assured {that a} Democrat who shares the values and priorities of our Democratic Social gathering will maintain this seat.”

Van Drew is asking fellow congressional Democrats, together with some within the New Jersey delegation, to speak about his resolution to modify events, a supply acquainted with his plans informed CNN. New Jersey Democrats and different Democrats on Capitol Hill are urging Van Drew to remain within the celebration, in response to the supply.

In these cellphone calls, Van Drew has expressed issues to his colleagues in regards to the blowback he is gotten within the Democratic Social gathering again house over his place on impeachment, the supply added.

Van Drew was one among simply two Democrats who in October voted towards formalizing the impeachment inquiry, and introduced earlier this month that he would vote towards all articles of impeachment on the Home ground. The complete Home of Representatives is anticipated to vote subsequent week on two Home Judiciary Committee-approved articles of impeachment, which is able to arrange a trial within the Senate.

The transfer, whereas a symbolic increase for Trump, seemingly will not change the end result of the Home vote that might see Trump as solely the third president in American historical past to be impeached.

The Washington Put up, citing officers, first reported Saturday that Van Drew is anticipated to hitch the Republican Social gathering “within the coming days” after assembly with Trump on Friday on the White Home. The New York Occasions reported Saturday that the congressman might make an announcement as quickly as subsequent week.

CNN has reached out to Van Drew’s workplace and the Trump administration for remark. Van Drew, his chief of workers and communications director didn’t reply to the Put up’s requests for remark Saturday.

Based on the Put up, Van Drew denied on Tuesday that he was switching events.

“I am not altering something — simply doing my job. I am nonetheless a Democrat, proper right here,” he informed the Put up in a short interview.

Van Drew mentioned final week that he plans to vote towards all articles of impeachment “until there’s one thing that I have not seen, have not heard earlier than.”

After voting towards the formal inquiry in October, the New Jersey congressman mentioned in a press release that “with out bipartisan help I imagine this inquiry will additional divide the nation tearing it aside on the seams and can finally fail within the Senate.”

Van Drew changed a Republican in 2018 to characterize New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, which Trump received in 2016.

New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District had been held by former Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo for 24 years earlier than Van Drew received election in 2018. In that race, Van Drew ran towards a Republican candidate, who after making controversial remarks towards range, misplaced the help of the Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee.

The district had voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, earlier than voting for Trump in 2016.

This breaking story has been up to date with further developments.

CNN’s Jeremy Herb and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

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