Thread by @jmartNYT

NEWS: @CongressmanJVD, a freshman from S Jersey, is in talks with senior Trump officials to change parties, could become a Republican this week

When his colleagues are set to impeach Trump.

Van Drew was losing support at home

w @NYTnickc >

nytimes.com/2019/12/14/us/…

Van Drew had just gotten a dismal poll back, per three Dems familiar.

...and here’s that poll of Dem primary voters in Van Drew district from earlier this month >

The deal would be:

Van Drew helps Trump obscure from impeachment this week.

Trump helps Van Drew survive a primary in his new party

And, yes, it’s 10 years nearly to the day Parker Griffith jumped. He lost his primary as an R. But he didn’t have an R prez to vouch for him

Here we go.

Van Drew told aides today he’s switching and signaled same in conversations w other Dem lawmakers.

Lots here from @NYTnickc on the Jersey landscape >

nytimes.com/2019/12/14/us/…

Few more nuggets:

-there’s talk of a WH event w Trump-Van Drew this week to put a bow 🎁 on it

-Van Drew re-elect thought all systems go as late as today: they sent out email Sat afternoon under his name about a Jan funder for all the NJ freshman Dems

-@BriCalHar may run!

@PhilMurphyNJ rolls out the howitzer:

JVD “has chosen his political career over our Constitution. Despite knowing full well that the President has abused the powers of his office, Congressman Van Drew is now willing to enable Donald Trump just to try to salvage his own election”