In the wake of Democratic Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s decision to swap political parties, seven aides have jumped ship leaving the chief of staff Allison Murphy as his only remaining Washington-based staff member. Of the seven, five have addressed the difference in values between the Congressman and his staff in a letter to Allison.
Aides Address Their Issues With Van Drew
In the letter, the aides shared their disappointment in the Congressman’s decision.
“Sadly Congressman Van Drew’s decision to join the ranks of the Republican Party led by Donald Trump does not align with the values we brought to this job when we joined his office,” they wrote.
“Over the past year, Trump Republicans have sided with special interests over the needs of working people,” the aides added. “Worse, they continue to aid and abet Trump as he shreds the Constitution and tears the country apart. They refused to grapple with how the President of the United States has jeopardized our national security for his own political advantage.”
RELATED: Jerry Nadler Spins Possible Jump by Democrat Van Drew to the Republican Side
Other Democrats Weigh In
Other Democratics in Congress believe Van Drew chose the flip flop after recent polls showed only 28% of his congressional district voters in support of renominating him while 68% said they wanted a different candidate. New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy said Van Drew is trying to “salvage his own election,” while Republican businessman David Richter and Professor Brigid Harrison, both campaigning to replace Van Drew, seemed to agree.
“This is the end of his career,” said Richter.
Harrison, professor of political science at Montclair State University, said Van Drew was a “traitor” that had “ignored the voices of our community,” and instead “sold his soul cutting back-room deals with the White House.” The professor is prepared to invest $1 million personally into the race and has spoken with some of the aides that walked in hopes to have them join her campaign staff.
Prior to Van Drew flipping a Trump-supported district in 2016, the conservative district was represented for over two decades by the Republican party. In a Fox News interview, Van Drew claims that the current Republican control of the Senate would likely save POTUS from the impeachment process, and added that the country’s voters should decide the fate of the issue, not Congress.
RELATED: Democrat in New Jersey Is Against Impeachment, May Switch Parties Soon
Van Drew Makes Things Harder For Pelosi
Van Drew’s flip would make things even more difficult for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has worked to maintain solidarity among the Democrats amidst the partisan battle. Pelosi has struggled to hold her ma
jority; the House Speaker cannot lose more than 17 Democrats’ impeachment supports, yet recently over 30 Democrats — all of whom represent Trump-won districts in the previous election — have started to question the political risks of following through the impeachment process.
The House Judiciary Committee is set to vote on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of justice — as early as this week.