Politics
Jeff Van Drew, a moderate who represents a rural district that Trump brought in 2016, has apparently started telling campaign personnel and allies he will join the Republican Party, according to the New Jersey Globe
The switch comes after Van Drew was among 2 Democrats to vote versus formalizing the impeachment questions last month. Ever since, the freshman Democrat has actually become increasingly vital of the partisan effort.
Van Drew’s willingness to buck his party on impeachment has actually damaged his standing among Democrats back house. When reporting on the congressman’s imminent switch Saturday, The Washington Post pointed out a ballot memo they got indicating Van Drew had actually lost the confidence of 58 percent of likely Democrat voters in his district.
The chance of losing renomination is supposedly a significant element in Van Drew’s decision.
In an effort to strengthen the switch, Trump met the freshman Democrat on Friday as part of a courting strategy. Were Van Drew to flip, he would be particular to get Trump’s recommendation if he looked for reelection as a Republican politician. Such a recommendation is made all the more most likely as the top Republican currently competing for the seat has ties to the Bidens and has slammed Trump in the past.
Van Drew’s defection would be a humiliating blow to Home Speak Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Given that the start of the impeachment inquiry, Pelosi has looked for to keep her members in line, even as the proceedings have actually struggled to increase above partisan rancor.
In recent days, the speaker’s hang on her majority has especially been evaluated, as 31 freshman and moderate Democrats– who like Van Drew all represent districts won by Trump in 2016– weigh if backing impeachment is worth the political threat. Much of the Trump-district Democrats, in specific, have actually come under fire from constituents back home over the concern.
Highlighting Pelosi’s position is the reality that she can not afford to lose more than 17 Democrats on impeachment. With Van Drew poised to change sides, the speaker’s hold looks a little bit more rare.