On October 22, Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew and Democratic opponent Zack Mullock came to Stockton University’s Galloway campus for a debate hosted by the William J Hughes Center for Public Policy and the Press of Atlantic City, two weeks before the midterm election.

Jeff Van Drew has represented New Jersey’s 2nd congressional district since winning the seat in 2018, winning his reelection for 2020, 2022 and 2024.

The debate was paneled by Alyssa Maurice—assistant director of the William J Hughes Center for Public Policy—and Nicholas Huba, a digital editor for the Press of Atlantic City, who asked each candidate questions based on concerns submitted by citizens of the 2nd congressional district beforehand.

The debate touched on many issues, including affordable housing, social security and rising energy costs.

Candidate’s Focus

Mullock focused his answers on fixing the middle class, pointing out that the average age for first-time house buyers was 40 years old, and that these issues will worsen under Van Drew, who Mullock claimed to have voted alongside President Trump on controversial bills like the Big Beautiful Bill.

Van Drew rebutted these claims, stating that under his congressional run, a record amount of money has entered the district, and then claimed that Mullock supported taxes on workers who made tips and worked overtime. He also emphasized that any changes to social security and medicaid would not affect those receiving it, noting that young, single men would have to meet the 20-hour work requirement or go back to school in order to keep their benefits to align with the new changes on medicaid requirements on the federal level.

Renewable Energy, War in Iran, and ICE

On renewable energy, Mullock stated that he had previously voted no to offshore wind, and that South Jersey should push for renewable energy through solar panels and wind turbines when they don’t hurt the environment. Van Drew claimed that windmills were bad for the environment, and that South Jersey needed to invest in a “basket of energy” to fight rising energy costs.

The war with Iran was another hot-topic issue, with Mullock calling it a “war of stupidity,” while also claiming that Van Drew voted upwards of six times to prevent troops from being pulled from Iran. Van Drew defended his votes to not end hostilities by stating that he did not want the withdrawal of troops to unhinge the middle-east.

When asked about ICE and the immigrant communities of South Jersey, both candidates advocated for legal immigration, however Van Drew stated that he wanted to end New Jersey’s status as a sanctuary state and cut the legal defense fund for illegal immigrants, while Mullock criticized the actions of ICE as causing terror on the streets.

Data Centers and AI

On Data Centers and AI guardrails, Mullock criticized his opponent for being against any guardrails for AI, while also claiming that a Vineland center developer sponsored Van Drew’s campaign. Van Drew claimed that he had no corporate PAC money backing him, while also claiming that corporate PACs were funding attack ads against him.

Regarding voter registration, while both candidates agreed that non-American citizens should not be voting in US elections, Van Drew stated his support for the SAVE act that would require voters to present ID at voting booths, while Mullock criticized Van Drew by claiming that one of his highest-paying members on his team is in federal prison for voter fraud.

The final few questions regarded public trust in political institutions and congressmen representing their constituents, with Mullock vowing to listen to his constituents while criticizing Van Drew for refusing to allow the public to attend this debate in person. Van Drew claimed that town halls would become too dangerous and that they have strayed from “intellectual debates.”

Closing Statements

During closing statements, Van Drew quoted Winston Churchill, stating that he will never give up on New Jersey.

“I will run into the fire,” Van Drew said, “I have run into the fire, I will continue to run into the fire, be unafraid, love America.”

Mullock emphasized the American dream, and making it more attainable for the average American. “I leave you with a simple question,” Mullock said, “Are you better off than you were two years ago? And if you are, God bless you and I wish you the best. But if not then I’m asking for your vote.”

The livestreamed debate is archived on the William J Hughes Center’s YouTube page. Early voting for the district starts on October 24, lasting until November 1.