Trump Ally Concedes to Democrat Zack Mullock in Stunning South Jersey Congressional Upset
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew has conceded defeat to Democratic challenger Zack Mullock in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, ending his eight-year tenure in Washington and delivering another significant Democratic pickup in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Van Drew, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent congressional allies and a former Democrat who switched parties during Trump’s first term, acknowledged his defeat early Wednesday morning after election returns showed Mullock holding a substantial lead.
“I’ve already conceded about 10 minutes ago, I called Zack Mullock and I conceded his victory. He is and will be our new congressman for the next two years,” Van Drew told supporters. “I wish him the very best. I wish him success. His success is our success.”
The concession was reported by Philadelphia’s 6abc Action News at approximately 4:36 a.m. Wednesday. At the time of the report, ABC News had not formally projected a winner, although Van Drew’s public acknowledgment of defeat effectively brought the contest to a close.
Unofficial results published by Decision Desk HQ showed Mullock receiving approximately 52.8 percent of the vote, compared with 46.4 percent for Van Drew, with independent candidate Ramon Mora Jr. receiving less than one percent. The figures were preliminary and subject to additional counting.
Mullock, the mayor of Cape May, will become the district’s first Democratic representative since Van Drew himself won the seat as a Democrat in 2018.
The result is particularly striking because the South Jersey district had become increasingly favorable to Republicans. Van Drew won reelection in 2024 by nearly 17 percentage points, and the district was regarded as likely Republican heading into this year’s election.
New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District covers much of southern New Jersey, including Atlantic and Cape May counties and portions of Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties. The district encompasses Atlantic City, Cape May, and numerous Jersey Shore communities.
Van Drew, a former state senator, was first elected to Congress in 2018 as a Democrat. His political career took a dramatic turn the following year when he opposed the first impeachment of President Trump and announced that he was joining the Republican Party.
The party switch made Van Drew a national political figure and one of Trump’s most visible supporters in New Jersey. He subsequently won reelection as a Republican in 2020, 2022, and 2024, consolidating his position in a district that had previously been represented by Democrats.
Throughout his congressional tenure, Van Drew aligned himself closely with Trump on immigration, border security, energy policy, and other major national issues.
He also became an outspoken critic of the Democratic Party, frequently arguing that its leadership had moved too far to the left and abandoned the priorities of working-class voters.
Mullock, meanwhile, entered the congressional race with a background in local government, presenting himself as a candidate focused on the practical concerns of South Jersey residents.
As mayor of Cape May, Mullock emphasized his experience addressing municipal issues and argued that the district needed new representation in Washington.
The campaign featured sharp disagreements over healthcare, energy policy, immigration, and the accessibility of elected officials to their constituents.
During the general election, Mullock sought to make the contest a referendum on Van Drew’s alignment with the Trump administration, while the incumbent defended his congressional record and emphasized his efforts on behalf of South Jersey communities.
Mullock had secured the Democratic nomination in June after defeating several primary opponents, including Tim Alexander, Bayly Winder, and Terri Reese.
Van Drew faced no opposition in the Republican primary and entered the general election seeking a fifth term in Congress.
