The Enynon Ballroom at Rowan hosted Congressman Jeff Van Drew on Monday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. The event was held by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC).

Congressman Van Drew talked about “the importance of public service and the need for bipartisanship.” 

In a handout at every seat in the ballroom was a profile of Congressman Van Drew from his website. 

Congressman Van Drew served four terms in the New Jersey state senate before getting elected to Congress, according to the handout. Nov. 3, 2020, he was elected for his second term as Congressman and was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2021. 

Andrew Slowinski, a political science major and economics minor at Rowan, introduced Congressman Van Drew to the stage. 

Congressman Van Drew came to the stage and immediately credited Rowan University President Ali Houshmand, saying he has a “tremendous vision.” 

He also let the audience know that he was going to be very candid– saying that the viewers may agree or disagree with the various points he was going to make. 

“I’m going to tell the truth and I know that sounds like an oxymoron for a politician,” Congressman Van Drew said. 

During his speech, he made a point to talk about the importance of helping those in the surrounding community, saying that understanding, caring, and helping people is extremely important, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. 

After running as a Democrat for all of his career, Congressman Van Drew switched to the Republican party in December 2019. The announcement was made from the Oval Office, while Congressman Van Drew sat next to Donald Trump. 

Van Drew, while talking to the audience in the Enynon Ballroom, emphasized the need for both parties to be able to work together while still recognizing each other’s differences. 

“Politics is hard work if you do it right,” Congressman Van Drew said. 

According to Van Drew, his office has done its best to help the community during the pandemic. 

“We got 5,000 people their COVID-19 vaccine,” Van Drew said. 

Before Cape May County had its branch of Atlantic Cape Community College that opened in 2005, Van Drew says he did his best to campaign for it. He believed that Cape May County also deserved an opportunity to learn at a county college.

Attendees were able to submit questions online through the registration link or at the event, and they were reviewed before being given to Van Drew.  

After answering a few questions, Congressman Van Drew left the crowd with a statement regarding the need for bipartisanship before the event ended at 8 p.m.

“Please allow everybody to have a voice,” Van Drew said. 

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