6 publishers · first seen Wed, 04 Nov 2026 03:42 UTC · updated Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:07 UTC
In a surprising turn of events, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew conceded to Democratic challenger Zack Mullock in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. Despite the race not being called by major media outlets, Van Drew acknowledged Mullock's victory, stating, 'He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years, and I wish him the very best.' Mullock, the nonpartisan mayor of Cape May, led by less than 4 percentage points with 70% of votes counted. The Cook Political Report had rated the race as 'solid Republican,' but the outcome indicates a significant shift in voter sentiment.
Mullock's victory is seen as a major win for Democrats in a traditionally Republican-leaning district. Van Drew, who switched from Democrat to Republican in 2019, had been elected four times but faced backlash for his support of President Trump's policies. Mullock, who ran a nonpartisan campaign in Cape May, emphasized his commitment to local issues and bipartisan cooperation. The upset reflects broader national trends, with Democrats gaining ground in unexpected areas.
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