VAN DREW, ALBANO, MILAM LAUD MILGRAM, STAFF
ON SUCCESS IN BEACH DUMPING CASE

(1st Legislative District) - Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today applauded state Attorney General Anne Milgram and her staff upon learning that the person responsible for the illegal dumping of medical waste that washed up on New Jersey's beaches last week has been charged.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Last year, with the popular state Senate candidate Jeff Van Drew heading up the ticket, Democrats swept the election in the 1st Legislative District. 

But after a narrow defeat last year, Republican Michael Donohue said today that he’s seriously mulling another bid for the Assembly seat, and that 2009 will likely be more advantageous for Republicans than 2007.

“I think it’s going to be very competitive, and I’m thinking about it,” said Donohue as he sat for breakfast with the Republican delegation this morning.

VAN DREW, ALBANO, MILAM TO CRAFT BILL ENHANCING PENALTIES FOR FOULING BEACHES

(1st Legislative District) – Following recent closings of several South Jersey beaches because medical waste washed ashore, Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today said they would introduce legislation to for the first time in years toughen penalties against illegal ocean dumping.

Jeff Van Drew insists he won’t be a late entrant into the second district House race against Republican U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, a district where Democrats think Joe Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket could help a congressional candidate in Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties – where some residents watch Delaware TV.  

VAN DREW, ALBANO, MILAM TO PUSH
FOR TOUGHER ANTI-POLITICAL-ROBOCALL LAW
Lawmakers Say New Federal Anti-Robocall Rules Leave Loophole
To Allow Unfettered Electioneering-By-Phone

(1st Legislative District) - Following a decision by a federal agency  that clearly protects the ability of political campaigns to barrage voters with "robocalls" - annoying automated telephone solicitations directed at voters each election season - Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam said they would renew their push for legislation to protect residents from being inundated with the unwanted electioneering calls.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew says he won't change his mind and challenge U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, even with Joe Biden on the ticket
DENVER – While State Senator and almost Congressional candidate Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) thinks Barack Obama’s selection of Joe Biden will help Democrats down-ballot in South Jersey, he is still standing behind the Democrats’ current candidate in District 2: David Kurkowski.

“Biden has a real connect to South Jersey. There are parts of South Jersey that are closer to Delaware than they are to New York and North Jersey,” said Van Drew.

Van Drew, a Democrat with moderate appeal, was national Democrats’ hope to run a third ultra-competitive race in New Jersey, against incumbent Frank LoBiondo (R-Vineland). Van Drew acknowledged interest in running, but he would have faced criticism as an office-climber, having just moved up to the state Senate from the Assembly in a tough race last year. So he didn’t, and national Democrats but aside their interest in the seat temporarily.

Van Drew Statement on Public BEach Access 

            TOMS RIVER – Senator Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May and Cumberland, issued the following statement on public beach access after attending a joint hearing of the Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on issues concerning the Jersey Shore:

             “New Jersey residents have an expectation of public access to the beaches, and they’re entitled to that expectation.  No one can unilaterally own a piece of the Jersey Shore, and we need to consistently make public access our number one priority when it comes to the waterfront and New Jersey’s coastline.

Republicans think their best chance to pick up Democratic Assembly seats next year is in the first district, where incumbents Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam are expected to seek re-election. Democrats swept the district in 2007 when Jefferson Van Drew ousted Republican incumbent Nicholas Asselta in a hotly contested State Senate race. Milam won by 2,020 votes - one of the closest races in the state; Albano was re-elected to a second term by 5,319 votes. Without Van Drew on the ticket, the GOP is optimistic.

South Jersey Republican leaders seem to think that by the time the general election ballots are printed, Cape May City Councilman David Kurkowski won’t be the Democratic candidate for Congress against Frank LoBiondo in the second district.  And LoBiondo, insiders say, seems almost obsessed with the idea that State Sen. Jeff Van Drew will enter the race against him. 

SENATE CLEARS VAN DREW MEASURE TO HELP RETURNING VETS

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew to help returning military veterans expedite work-related licenses so they can resume employment without getting bogged down in bureaucratic red tape.

“When our citizen soldiers return from defending our freedom, we should make sure they don’t lose time from work because of expired licenses,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “Their lives have been disrupted enough by their active service.”