Democratic challenger Zack Mullock right away took the fight to U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) in the debate tonight.

Mullock said his candidacy represents a return to "normalcy and decency" to counter Van Drew's allegiance to President Donald J. Trump.

The Cape May Mayor cited the sitting congressman's support for data centers, the war in Iran and doubling health insurance costs.

"All for his pathetic undying support to Donald Trump, not to the Constitution or South Jersey but to one man," Mullock said.

The congressman defended himself.

"It's about being connected," Van Drew said. "It is the same connection with my people that we needed to do something with the Coast Guard."

Mullock continued to attack, taking Van Drew to task for his support for Trump's "big beautiful bill" and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which painfully impact the state's three poorest counties in CD-2.

The challenger also cited Trump's tariffs making it difficult for residents to fill up their grocery carts, and the war in Iran impeding people's ability to put gas in their tanks.

"All three of those issues he voted for," said Mullock, who also criticized Van Drew for pushing for offshore wind then switching parties and becoming offshore wind's biggest critic.

Van Drew persistently pushed back, objecting to Mullock attributing his voting for the war in Iran, while Mullock doubled down. "We have a person who looked up to this president like a child," the challenger said.

"It's a war of stupidity and 23 soldiers have died," he added.

"I love renewables by the way," Van Drew said. "I did spend money on a wind turbine, which completely failed."

"Just like your plan," Mullock shot back. "Our farmers are struggling because of his policies. Look at your health insurance policies, those are his policies."

"My friend, Mr. Pinocchio there," Van Drew complained, who claimed that the cuts in the bill impacting healthcare target healthy people not the vulnerable.

"The Congressional Budget Office said $1.5 trillion in cuts," Mullock said.