Congressman Jeff Van Drew and challenger candidate Amy Kennedy during New Jersey's 2nd congressional district debate Thursday Oct 8, 2020, at Fannie Lou Hamer Room on the campus of Stockton University in Atlantic City, NJ. Courtesy Edward Lea/Press of Atlantic City
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
ATLANTIC CITY Democrat Amy Kennedy of Brigantine faced-off against District-2 incumbent Jeff Van Drew Thursday in a debate hosted by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy in the Fanny Lou Hamer Room at Stockton University's Atlantic City campus.
The debate featured three journalists asking questions of the candidates with Hughes Center Executive Director John Froonjian as moderator. The debate was broadcast on NJTV and no members of the public nor the media were allowed in the room.
The debate was mostly civil with candidates answering questions on the COVID-19 pandemic, election security, political ideology, healthcare, economy, immigration, policing and race relations, climate change, the Supreme Court, abortion, Social Security, marijuana, and universal background checks.
In a discussion regarding negative campaign advertising, Kennedy chastised Van Drew for his negative campaign ads that cut and paste her into the Republican Party's national talking points.
I would like to be seen as an individual, look at my policies on my page before slamming me as phony, elitist, radical, said Kennedy, a former schoolteacher and mental health advocate.
She said anyone checking her platform on her website would see that she does not fit her portrayal in Van Drew's ads.
Van Drew said Kennedy was not just a homespun schoolteacher.
The ads are offensive because we don't want to hear the truth, he said, stating he pays no attention to campaign ads.
Both candidates said they support pandemic stimulus relief, but Van Drew said he would not support a bill that squeezed in other political ideas, such as the release of dangerous criminals and the Green New Deal.
I believe in helping the states, but they should be held accountable for irresponsible budgeting practices. The expenses they have due to the Covid absolutely should be covered, but we shouldn't just bail them out. That's something that must go state by state.
Democrat Amy Kennedy
Kennedy said she would like to see federal stimulus money sent directly to small businesses that have struggled, working families and frontline workers.
Van Drew said he is hopeful vote by mail election security would be maintained, but he has heard stories about voters getting multiple ballots.
We are sending live ballots, millions of them, he said. He said he suggested to Gov. Phil Murphy that the state should be having machine voting with social distancing protocols over a three-day period.
Kennedy is excited NJ is among states ensuring voters are safe and that vote by mail increased voter participation in the primary by 50%.
I feel this is a good path forward and it means everyone will have a paper ballot that helps us with the idea of interference from foreign governments, she said. Paper ballots are more secure. The narrative that President Trump has been pushing is destructive.
Van Drew has held public office at every level of local, county and state government, and was elected to Congress as a Democrat. His competitor two years ago was Republican attorney Seth Grossman of the Liberty and Prosperity group. Van Drew switched to the Republican Party late last year after refusing to vote for impeachment and pledging his undying support to President Donald Trump.
Van Drew said people voted for him because of who he is and not a party label.
My whole career is based upon the fact that I wasn't so concerned about Republicans and Democrats. I was concerned about standing up for South Jersey, he said.
In explaining his undying support remark, Van Drew said he supports the presidency, and that doesn't mean I will agree with him on everything and that he would remain independent on certain issues affecting South Jersey.
Although Kennedy has never held public office, her father was an Absecon councilman and an Atlantic County Freeholder, and her husband Patrick, son of the Lion of the Senate Ted Kennedy, was a congressman in Rhode Island.
I was raised in this district, my family has lived here four generations, I taught public school and I'm raising my five kids here, and I work as a mental health advocate trying to make sure we are improving lives. And I think people will support that type of lived experience, she said.
Van Drew said he supports keeping the Affordable Care Act until a suitable replacement can be found, but he does not support eliminating employer sponsored healthcare or eliminating protections for pre-existing conditions.
It's not as good as it should be, it's too expensive for many people, but we do not have anything good to replace it, he said.
Kennedy said ACA should be maintained while unemployment is so high in South Jersey, but it should be expanded to include a public option for those who cannot afford the premiums. She supports employer sponsored healthcare and expanding coverage to include preventive care and bargaining for lower drug prices.
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew
As far as job creation, both support expansion of good paying jobs at the FAA Technical Center, diversifying the economy with investment in technology and resilience infrastructure, and supporting small business, however Van Drew said more support is needed for the South Jersey tourism industry.
Van Drew said he does not support sanctuary cities and open borders and that a new bipartisan immigration plan is needed.
We need to take care of our people first, and we are a nation of the rule of law, he said.
Kennedy said bipartisan support is needed so South Jersey businesses that depend on immigrants and foreign workers have protections.
Employers not hiring legally need to be held accountable, she said.
Their answers regarding the definition of systemic racism differed somewhat.
I do not believe the average person hates people of color, but there are pockets of problems that exist, Van Drew said. I don't believe our average law enforcement official hates people of color. We need to come together and make our country and relationships better.
Kennedy said systemic racism is not about racist people, but more needs to be done to eliminate racist policies and institutions, such as schools.
We need changes in our criminal justice system, in our education system and in policies around housing and employment and equal pay, she said. It's policy based. When we see racism, we can address it like we did with the Voting Rights Act.
Kennedy chastised Van Drew for misrepresenting her stance on funding police departments.
Van Drew said defunding police would mean reducing police budgets and result in fewer officers on the street.
They actually need to be helped more financially and more work done with community policing, he said. I stand tall with our police.
People in Atlantic City say they need more police because they don't feel safe, he said.
They want more policing, not less, he said.
Kennedy said she does not support defunding police, and supports federal investments in bias training, mental health and substance abuse.
We need police who are better trained, addressing bias, she said. We should talk about solutions by bringing both parties to the table.
Of interest to Downbeach residents, Kennedy said former Vice-president Joe Biden's Build Back Better program would provide investments in green energy, infrastructure and resiliency projects that protect businesses and homes from the effects of climate change.
Van Drew supports funding for conservation, open space, carbon capture projects, and zoning and building at higher elevations.
I believe there is still room for nuclear∧ solar, he said.
Both said they support continuing the National Flood Insurance Program and continuing with beach replenishments until viable solutions can be found.
Both agreed South Jersey needs better transportation options, including smaller units of transportation such as jitneys, Van Drew said.
Kennedy said she is pro-choice and would fight for women's reproductive rights. Van Drew said he does not support late-term or live-birth abortions and would not allow federal funding for abortions. He said he supports abortion in the case of the life of the mother, rape or incest.
Both support universal background checks for gun ownership, legalizing marijuana, and preserving Social Security.
Van Drew's closing remarks centered on Americanism and American exceptionalism.
Kennedy said she would work hard to help residents achieve success and ensure South Jersey is no longer ignored.
You deserve a congress person who will work hard for you every day and make the changes to get healthcare and the economy back on its feet.
Copyright Mediawize, LLC 2020
