Democratic Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, a vocally anti-impeachment Democrat, will join the Republican Party in the coming days, following a Friday meeting with President Trump — delivering a political jolt to Democrats ahead of next week’s expected vote to impeach the president.
Two Democratic officials familiar with Van Drew’s discussions in recent days said they believe he has decided to switch parties. The White House meeting was confirmed by a Trump administration official and one of the Democratic officials.
In 2018, Van Drew won a previously held Republican seat. He’s a member of the House Blue Dog Coalition and has said the impeachment “process is too divisive and comes too close to the 2020 presidential election.”
