Amy Kennedy Wins New Jersey Democratic Primary, Will Face Off Against GOP Defector Rep. Jeff Van Drew

Amy Kennedy, the wife of ex-Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy and daughter-in-law of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s second congressional district on Tuesday. She will face GOP Rep, Jeff Van Drew in November — who defected from the Democratic Party during the House impeachment inquiry.

Kennedy, an educator and political newcomer, ran on the platform of expanding Obamacare. She boasted endorsements from Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

She beat out Democratic challengers Brigid Callahan Harrison, a Montclair State University professor, and Will Cunningham, a former House staff member, with 59.2% of the vote and 49% of precincts reporting.

Van Drew easily swept the Republican primary with more than 80% of the vote.

The full results are expected to come in slowly, as the election was primarily conducted through mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic. The primary had already been postponed a month due to the pandemic.

Harrison has thus far received 25.5% and Cunningham 11.7%.

“I’m so grateful for my family, my community and the overwhelming support in South Jersey,” Kennedy tweeted after her win. “I am ready to fight with you. I am ready to fight for you. I am ready to take on Jeff Van Drew.”