STOCKTON - Democrats at this debate forum took turns working over Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2) as they tried to position themselves in the June 2nd Democratic Primary.

Then it got touchier onstage when Tim Alexander, a civil rights attorney, leveled an attack on Bayly Winder (SEE BELOW).

For the most part, though, the Dems kept their focus on President Donald Trump and the GOP.

Van Drew is President Donald Trump's most reliable New Jersey ally, which may explain why he's unopposed in the GOP Primary.

The candidates all smacked around ICE, too. Time to pull the plug. They denounced Trump's wrongheaded war in Iran, and his economic policies and budgeting choices that benefit billionaires and stiff South Jersey.

"We cannot become the villain in defending Iran," Alexander said.

"We are in Iran right now because Jeff Van Drew voted for it again," said Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock. "We have to work with our NATO allies and all our allies. Somehow, we're fighting with Canada right now. You couldn't ask for a better neighbor."

Van Drew and Trump.

That proved a natural symbiosis all night long.

Each Democrat here this evening repeatedly made a case for why he or she is best suited to appeal to unaffiliated CD-2 voters to pick off "rubber stamp" Van Drew.

"Do you want to win?" Mullock asked the crowd jammed into the Campus Center. "I'm tired of South Jersey losing and being left behind. I've won the last three elections in South Jersey."

Born. Raised. The only elected official in the contest.

Activist Terri Reese said she has "literally and figuratively weathered the same storms" that have wracked this seaside district.

Alexander - who lost to Van Drew in 2022 - said, "I'm the only one who has won a Democratic Primary. I have the name recognition. Why would you want someone who has to start from scratch?"

Believes in unions. Educators.

"That's why my name is known all over this district," he said.

Finally, there was Winder, a veteran of the state department.

Fourth generation New Jerseyan. Federal experience.

If elected "I will be one of the youngest members of Congress in the country," he noted.

The only one on the stage with federal service. Advised the FBI on cybersecurity.

"Service is not a slogan to me, it is my life's work," said Winder. "This is a golden age for an elite few while you pay the bill."

Mullock later snapped, "We need South Jersey in D.C. not D.C. in South Jersey."

Winder shot back later as he considered a question about AI data centers, "We need congressional oversight. I don't see that in D.C, right now."

Alexander pounced.

"Mr. Winder is invested in this data centers and he's drawing a dividend check," he said.

"This is a lie and Tim knows it," Winder said. "I am not invested in data centers. I am not in the pocket of big tech and I am here to hold them accountable."

Alexander later complimented Reese for calling for a lift on the payroll tax cap. Yesterday, Reese said she would back either Alexander or Mullock as a general election candidate but derided the candidacy of Winder (see below).

The place was packed. Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan (D-2) was in the room. Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Suleiman was in the room.

In his closing statement, Mullock kept his focus on Trump and Van Drew.

"He [Trump] has traded stocks every seven seconds of his presidency," said the Cape May Mayor. "We cannot allow this corruption to continue to happen. I am asking for a chance to take on Van Drew, beat Van Drew, and together we will take this country back."

In his closing statement, Alexander again elbowed Winder - along with the sitting GOP congressman.

"Jeff Van Drew is a domestic terror to the 2nd Congressional District," he said. "We don't need an outsider who can't seem to find a truthful statement in his soul."

"I will not take a cent of corporate tax money. I will push back on tech billionaires while they take our water and our electricity," said Winder.

For more InsiderNJ coverage of this closely watched contest, please go HERE.

For more on how the data center debate is shaking up this race, please go HERE.