Van Drew and Mullock Clash in Heated Congressional Debate

Van Drew and Mullock Clash in Heated Congressional Debate

Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew and Democratic challenger Cape May Mayor Zach Mullock faced off last night in a heated debate over the future of South Jersey and New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District.

The Wildwood Video Archive was allowed to drop in to cover the event which was featured at an empty theater at Stockton University’s Campus Center Theatre, a request from the Congressman’s team, and lasted roughly about an hour and featured several tense exchanges between the candidates with Van Drew calling Mullock Pinocchio several times.

With no in-person audience, the debate was broadcast live online and through television and radio partners.

We suggest you watch the debate prior to the election which you can watch HERE.

Both candidates accused each other of misleading voters and moderators had to repeatedly step in to keep the debate moving.

Here are the biggest takeaways, and your CliffsNotes from the debate.

Rising Costs and Healthcare Dominate the Discussion

Affordability was one of the biggest topics of the night, with both candidates agreeing that South Jersey families are struggling with rising costs.

Mullock blamed many of those costs on Van Drew’s support for President Trump’s policies, pointing to healthcare, tariffs, and the ongoing war in Iran.

He accused Van Drew of voting for legislation that would cut federal healthcare spending, including Medicaid.

Van Drew pushed back, saying he never voted to cut Medicare or Social Security and would never support doing so.

He defended new Medicaid work requirements for certain adults, saying they would help protect the program while encouraging people to work, attend school, or volunteer.

Mullock disagreed, pointing to Congressional Budget Office projections showing that the changes could leave some Americans without healthcare coverage.

Offshore Wind Remains a Major Cape May County Issue

Offshore wind was another major topic, especially considering how much attention the issue has received here in Cape May County.

Mullock questioned Van Drew about his previous support for wind energy while serving in the New Jersey Legislature.

Van Drew defended his current opposition to offshore wind, saying the projects would hurt commercial fishing, tourism, the environment, and electricity rates.

Mullock said he also had concerns about offshore wind, pointing out that he voted against a wind-related measure while serving as Cape May mayor.

However, Mullock said he still supports renewable energy, particularly solar, and believes wind projects should be considered in locations where they make sense.

Both candidates raised concerns about offshore wind development along the South Jersey coast, though they disagreed on how wind energy should fit into the country’s future.

Beach Replenishment Sparks Debate Over Funding

One of the more important discussions for Cape May County residents involved beach replenishment, a topic we cover extensively here on the Wildwood Video Archive.

Mullock criticized how some beach replenishment projects are scheduled, pointing to work taking place during the summer tourism season.

He called for a 10-year coastal protection plan that would look beyond simply pumping sand onto beaches. His proposal would include jetties and other infrastructure intended to protect the coastline.

Van Drew defended his record on beach replenishment, saying his office helped secure $99 million in federal funding this year.

He also discussed his proposal to create a permanent beach replenishment fund using revenue generated from offshore oil and gas production.

While the two disagreed over how these projects should be managed and funded, both supported continued federal investment in protecting South Jersey’s beaches.

South Jersey Data Centers

The candidates also went back and forth over data centers and their potential impact on South Jersey.

Mullock accused Van Drew of not doing enough to address environmental concerns surrounding these facilities.

He also questioned Van Drew about campaign contributions from a contractor involved in data center construction.

Van Drew denied taking contributions directly from a data center company but acknowledged receiving money from a contractor who had worked on a data center project.

Van Drew said he supports bipartisan legislation that would prevent data centers from passing additional electricity costs onto residential customers.

The discussion comes as more communities are questioning how these large facilities could affect electricity rates and the surrounding environment.

The War in Iran

The ongoing war in Iran led to another heated exchange between the candidates.

Mullock called the conflict a “war of stupidity” and accused Van Drew of supporting it through his votes in Congress.

He argued that the war has helped drive up gasoline and diesel prices, making everyday life more expensive for South Jersey families and businesses.

Van Drew rejected the accusation, saying his votes against measures to immediately end American military involvement were about protecting U.S. troops.

He argued that pulling American forces out too quickly could put service members in danger.

However, Van Drew agreed that the conflict needs to come to an end.

“It is time to end this,” Van Drew said, while calling for an orderly withdrawal of American forces.

Immigration and Public Safety Divide Candidates

Immigration was another issue where the candidates had different approaches.

Both supported stronger border security, but they disagreed over how immigration laws should be enforced.

Van Drew criticized New Jersey’s sanctuary policies, saying state and local authorities should work more closely with federal immigration officials.

He argued that greater cooperation would help improve public safety.

Mullock agreed that violent criminals should face enforcement regardless of their immigration status.

However, he criticized some federal immigration enforcement tactics, saying they have created unnecessary fear in communities.

Mullock also pointed to South Jersey’s agricultural and hospitality industries, which rely heavily on immigrant workers.

He said he supports creating a pathway to citizenship for certain immigrants who have lived in the United States for years.

Holding Town Halls

The candidates also disagreed over how accessible a member of Congress should be to the public.

Mullock criticized Van Drew for not holding regular, open, in-person town halls where constituents can directly question their representative.

Van Drew defended how his office communicates with residents, pointing to telephone town halls, direct conversations, and constituent services.

He said safety concerns have made some in-person political events more difficult but that he would support holding them when they could be conducted safely.

The two also exchanged criticism over the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related records and election integrity.

Where the Candidates Found Common Ground

Despite all the arguing, there were a few issues where the candidates actually agreed.

Both said they oppose cutting Social Security benefits and were open to reviewing the income cap that determines how much of a person’s earnings are subject to Social Security taxes.

They also agreed that members of Congress should be banned from trading individual stocks.

Both acknowledged that South Jersey families are struggling with the cost of living, although they had very different explanations for why that is happening.

And on one issue that is especially important here in Cape May County, both agreed that federal beach replenishment funding is necessary to protect our coastline and the tourism industry that depends on it.

But that’s about where the common ground ended.

Throughout the debate, Van Drew pointed to his experience in Washington and the federal funding he said he helped bring to South Jersey.

He highlighted projects involving the Coast Guard, military facilities, infrastructure, and beach replenishment.

Mullock focused much of his attention on affordability and government accountability. He also pointed to his experience as Cape May mayor, saying he has worked with people from both political parties.

In their closing statements, Van Drew promised to continue fighting for South Jersey and delivering federal resources to the district.

Mullock ended by asking voters to think about their own finances and whether they are better off today than they were two years ago.

Voters will make their decision on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The one personal note I have of the debate, with family who are currently having to deal with bombs falling on their heads in Ukriane, and with the president seemingly trying to side with Putin, it was quite upsetting to hear Van Drew not comment about the situation while Mullock, which I want to quote said,

“We’re buying communist diesel because of the terrible war that he voted for. Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave right now because of your policy, siding with communist Putin instead of our democratic allies in Ukraine. And children are dying in Ukraine because of his policies. It’s disgusting. We need to get back with our allies and support our democratic allies throughout the world.”