Democrat Jeff Van Drew wins in New Jersey district

Democratic state Sen. Jeff Van Drew beat out Trump-backed Seth Grossman in New Jersey’s 2nd District on Tuesday.

With 99 percent of districts reporting, Van Drew was ahead 52 percent to 46 percent.

The district was represented by Republican Frank LoBiondo since 1994, but his retirement this year opened the race to a Democratic challenger.

Van Drew’s victory flips a district that voted for President Trump in 2016. 

Van Drew, a dentist by profession, is a self-described moderate, who is a Second Amendment proponent and supports abortion rights. He said he will not support Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker. 

Van Drew has touted the need for bipartisanship. He expressed support for “comprehensive immigration reform” and spoke of the need to strengthen the country’s borders.  

Grossman campaigned on his support for President Trump, and promised to be his unabashed ally in Congress. 

But Grossman lost the support of the National Republican Congressional Committee over allegations of racism and bigotry.