Vineland superintendent Mary Gruccio is poised to gather Republican support for a 2017 bid to unseat state Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-1).

Since first getting elected to the senate ten years ago, Van Drew has built a very sturdy infrastructure, showing his best performance to date the last time he ran, in 2013.

A veteran member of the Vineland School District, Gruccio has served for more than four years as superintendent. A cancer survivor, single mom and former Cumberland County freeholder, she possesses a doctorate in education.

Cumberland County Freeholder Jim Sauro and North Wildwood real estate agent Brian McDowell are the two Republicans running for Assembly.

Van Drew’s team includes Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak and Assemblyman R. Bruce Land.