Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today endorsed Rep. Jeff Van Drew for reelection in 2020. Van Drew recently switched from the Democrat to Republican party over his opposition to impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.

“I have known Jeff Van Drew long before long before either of us dreamed of running for public office and he has always been a tough, conservative, issue-oriented leader,” Smith said. “I am proud to welcome Congressman Van Drew to the Republican Party and join President Trump in endorsing his reelection to the United States House of Representatives.”

Rep. Van Drew, who represents New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, came under fire from Democrats over his party switch, with many leading Democrats calling him a fraud and a coward. Governor Phil Murphy accused Van Drew of “putting politics over the Constitution.”

Rep. Van Drew’s district was held by a Republican for 24 consecutive years before Van Drew won the seat as a Democrat in 2018. His voting record has mostly sided with other House Democrats, creating complications for him in the upcoming primary for the 2020 Republican nomination for the seat.

President Trump and other Republican leaders are looking to bolster Van Drew’s support among Republican primary voters, with Trump planning to hold a campaign rally in the 2nd District to boost Van Drew’s candidacy.