Voters across southern New Jersey will have the opportunity to evaluate their candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives next month when incumbent Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew faces off against Democratic challenger Zack Mullock in a televised debate.
The high-stakes event is scheduled to take place on October 22 at Stockton University. It will bring together the two contenders seeking to represent New Jersey's expansive 2nd Congressional District for an hour-long discussion on policy, leadership, and regional priorities.
Organizers have scheduled the one-hour forum to begin at 6 p.m. inside the Campus Center Theatre, located on Stockton University’s main campus in Galloway. The session is designed to give both candidates equal opportunity to outline their visions for South Jersey and address pressing legislative issues facing the region.
The debate is being held under a joint civic partnership between Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy and The Press of Atlantic City. Both organizations have frequently coordinated regional political forums to help inform the electorate before voters head to the ballot box.
To maintain a focused and structured environment for dialogue, organizers announced that there will be no in-person audience seated inside the Campus Center Theatre during the broadcast. Instead, the debate will be carried directly to the public through digital platforms, ensuring broad accessibility for constituents across the multi-county district.
Members of the public will be able to watch the entire exchange live via the Hughes Center’s dedicated YouTube page, as well as through the official website of The Press of Atlantic City. The livestreamed format ensures residents from all corners of South Jersey can view the debate in real time.
Constituents are also being invited to play an active role in shaping the debate's agenda by submitting potential questions for the candidates ahead of the event. Regional residents can submit their inquiries directly via email to the Hughes Center or to the newsroom of The Press of Atlantic City, including the label "CD2 Questions" in the subject line to ensure proper sorting.
Questions selected for the candidates will be posed by a two-member panel representing the sponsoring organizations. The panel will feature Nicholas Huba, the digital editor for The Press of Atlantic City, alongside Alyssa Maurice, the assistant director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.
The debate will put a spotlight on the differing political trajectories and platforms of the two candidates. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who resides in Cape May, has held the congressional seat since he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and took office in 2019.
Van Drew’s political career has included a high-profile evolution. Originally elected to Congress as a member of the Democratic Party, the lawmaker officially switched his party affiliation in January 2020 to become a Republican, a status he has maintained as he represents South Jersey in Washington.
Before serving in federal office, Van Drew built an extensive record in local government within the district. A practicing dentist in his private life, he previously served as the mayor of Dennis Township and worked as a county freeholder representing Cape May County.
Challenging the incumbent is Zack Mullock, who currently serves as the mayor of the City of Cape May. Mullock, who is serving his second term as the city's chief municipal executive, entered the race with municipal leadership experience, having also previously served as a member of the Cape May City Council.
The upcoming forum offers both candidates a prominent platform to address the varied and distinct needs of New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. Geographically expansive, the district spans the entirety of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties, while also taking in portions of both Gloucester and Ocean counties.
Because the district encompasses coastal resort communities, suburban towns, and rural farming areas, the debate format provides a critical platform for addressing challenges that bridge diverse local economies. The absence of a live crowd is intended to keep the focus squarely on policy, candidate responses, and substantively answering questions posed by the media panel.
With the debate set for October 22 at 6 p.m., organizers are finalizing preparations and continuing to accept voter questions. The upcoming forum will offer South Jersey residents a vital opportunity to compare the incumbent and the challenger as the campaign for the 2nd Congressional District moves into its final phase.
(0)