U.S. House, New Jersey 2nd Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District?
Jeff Van Drew has the strongest record in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. Jeff Van Drew scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Zack Mullock at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Jeff Van Drew's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Zack Mullock's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Ramon Mora Jr. (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Jeff Van Drew
70 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 85
- Performance
- 75
Independent
Ramon Mora Jr.
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Zack Mullock
61 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Jeff Van Drew
- On the record2023-12-01
Voted to expel Rep. George Santos when Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise voted against expulsion.
Source: House Clerk Roll Call 691, 2023
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted Yea on the objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electoral votes.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
- On the record2020-12
Signed the House amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, which asked the Supreme Court to block four states from casting certified electoral votes.
Source: Texas v. Pennsylvania, amicus brief of 126 Representatives
- On the record2019-12-19
Announced he was switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party, a day after voting as a Democrat against both articles of impeachment against President Trump.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jeff Van Drew
- Credit2025-12-18
The Improving Police CARE Act he sponsored was enacted through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
Sources: GovTrack, H.R. 5864 (119th Congress), GovTrack, enacted legislation
- Credit2025
Was lead sponsor of a House resolution condemning the June 2025 attack on a demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, which passed with bipartisan support.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
- Credit2025-10-03
Received the Exchange Club of Ocean City's 58th annual Book of Golden Deeds Award for community service, presented Oct. 3, 2025.
Ramon Mora Jr.
- On the record2026-09-21
Entered the race as an independent after saying he was not satisfied with the Democratic primary field.
Zack Mullock
- On the record2026-10-22
Agreed to debate Rep. Jeff Van Drew at Stockton University on Oct. 22, 2026, in a debate co-sponsored by the Hughes Center and The Press of Atlantic City.
Sources: Cape May County Herald, Sept. 10, 2026, Stockton University event page
- Credit
Mayor of Cape May, elected three times by his account, after serving on the city council.
Sources: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Zack Mullock, candidate survey
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Jeff Van Drew. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No House Ethics Committee matter, FEC administrative fine or periodic transaction report found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00661868
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00939280
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Jeff Van Drew. Voted against his party leadership on several significant measures: against the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, to expel Rep. George Santos in 2023, and for the 2025 Protect America's Workforce Act, each opposed by GOP leaders. As a Democrat in 2019 he voted against both articles of impeachment.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 243, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 691, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 332, 2025, Ballotpedia, Jeff Van Drew
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Jeff Van Drew. Agreed to debate Democrat Zack Mullock at Stockton University on Oct. 22, 2026.
Sources: Cape May County Herald, Sept. 10, 2026, Stockton University event page
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. Agreed to debate Rep. Jeff Van Drew at Stockton University on Oct. 22, 2026.
Sources: Cape May County Herald, Sept. 10, 2026, Stockton University event page
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Jeff Van Drew. Has held public office for decades, including mayor of Dennis Township, Cape May County freeholder, state legislator and, since 2019, U.S. representative. No censure, reprimand or House Ethics Committee finding found.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. Mayor of Cape May and a small business owner. No formal conduct finding found.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Jeff Van Drew. Voted Yea on both January 2021 objections to the Arizona and Pennsylvania electoral votes, and signed the House amicus brief in Texas v. Pennsylvania.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, Texas v. Pennsylvania, amicus brief of 126 Representatives
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. Holds the sworn office of mayor of Cape May. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Zack Mullock
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Jeff Van Drew. In the U.S. House since January 2019, seeking a fifth term, after serving as a state senator, assemblyman, Cape May County freeholder and mayor of Dennis Township.
Sources: GovTrack, Jeff Van Drew, WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Ramon Mora Jr.. Has worked as a nurse technician and says he has no formal political experience. No leadership post documented.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Zack Mullock. Mayor of Cape May, with prior service on the Cape May City Council by his own account, and a small business owner.
Sources: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Zack Mullock, candidate survey
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Jeff Van Drew. Chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight and serves on Transportation and Infrastructure. A police mental health bill he sponsored was enacted through the FY2026 NDAA.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, GovTrack, H.R. 5864 (119th Congress)
Ramon Mora Jr.. Published positions in general terms focused on cost of living, jobs and foreign policy.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Zack Mullock. Published positions in general terms on taxes, jobs, Social Security and foreign policy.
Source: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Jeff Van Drew. His House office offers an e-newsletter, telephone town halls and issue pages, and his campaign answered WHYY's voter guide. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Office site, home page, WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jeff Van Drew
Ramon Mora Jr.. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey, gave WHYY statements and publishes an issues page on his campaign site.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ramon Mora Jr., WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site, home page
Zack Mullock. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey, gave WHYY statements on his positions and appeared in the Cape May County Herald's candidate video questions.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Zack Mullock, WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Cape May County Herald, Oct. 4, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Jeff Van Drew. Lives in Dennis Township, where he served as mayor, and represented the area in county and state office. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 77 percent of itemized individual contributions from New Jersey.
Sources: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Ramon Mora Jr.. Lives in Vineland and says he has lived all his life in South Jersey.
Sources: WHYY, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Ramon Mora Jr., candidate survey
Zack Mullock. Born and raised in Cape May County, which lies wholly in the district; mayor of Cape May. FEC by-state totals for 2026 show about 83 percent of itemized individual contributions from New Jersey.
Sources: Cape May Magazine, Steering a City, City of Cape May, Mayor Zachary Mullock, Ballotpedia, Zack Mullock, candidate survey, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Jeff Van Drew. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00661868
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no administrative fine found. Leads Cape May city government as mayor; staff size not found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00939280
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Jeff Van Drew. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 0.963 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.198, meeting expectations. GovTrack lists four enacted bills he sponsored, including the Improving Police CARE Act in 2025.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Jeff Van Drew. Missed 53 of 3,869 roll call votes, 1.4 percent, from January 2019 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Jeff Van Drew. Runs a district office in Northfield and offers help with federal agencies. No published casework totals found.
Sources: Office site, Contact, Office site, home page
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Jeff Van Drew. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.15818 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress, 2023), ranked 96 of 436, in the top quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Jeff Van Drew. No public record found.
Ramon Mora Jr.. No public record found.
Zack Mullock. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District?
Jeff Van Drew has the strongest record in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. Jeff Van Drew scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Zack Mullock at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Jeff Van Drew's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Zack Mullock's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Ramon Mora Jr. (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District in 2026?
Jeff Van Drew (Republican, incumbent), Ramon Mora Jr. (Independent), Zack Mullock (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Jeff Van Drew a good candidate for Congress?
Jeff Van Drew scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 85 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Ramon Mora Jr. a good candidate for Congress?
Ramon Mora Jr. has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Zack Mullock a good candidate for Congress?
Zack Mullock scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every New Jersey race scored, and the New Jersey 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.