Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., is working with controversial Democrat operative Craig Callaway, who has convictions for bribery and blackmail, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Callaway lied about the connection in mid-September, telling Politico that he was not working for Van Drew’s campaign. But a campaign finance report for Van Drew shows a $50,000 payment to Callaway dated Sept. 8.
Van Drew on Jan. 7 officially switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The first-term congressman now finds himself in a competitive election race rated as a toss-up by Cook Political Report. Democrat challenger Amy Kennedy, a former schoolteacher from South Jersey, said Van Drew’s exit from the party spurred her to jump into politics for the first time.
Callaway worked on Kennedy’s behalf in her successful primary campaign. The Inquirer said the pair had a falling out, which led him to reconnect with Van Drew.
“I’m a consultant,” Callaway told the Inquirer. “I’m a business person. I’m supportive of Democratic candidates. But I have a sense of independence.”
“Van Drew and I, we have a relationship,” Callaway added. “Beyond political. Even though I didn’t agree, and I still don’t agree with his move, as far as supporting [President Donald] Trump, I still say he’s an honorable man.”
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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