Zack Mullock wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District

CAPE MAY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock declared victory Tuesday night after emerging as the projected Democratic primary winner for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, setting up a general election matchup with Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew.

At a watch party filled with cheering supporters, Mullock said he is ready to compete for the South Jersey seat as Democrats aim to flip the district.

Election results for the 2026 New Jersey Primary

Mullock will face Van Drew, who is seeking a fifth term representing the district, which stretches from Gloucester County to the coastline.

"I ran because I believe South Jersey deserves a representative who will show up, who listens, who fights regardless of political or economic status," Mullock said.

Mullock defeated three Democratic opponents in the primary: Bayly Winder of Mays Landing, Tim Alexander of Galloway - who was making his third run for the seat - and Terri Reese of Northfield.

In another closely watched primary, Democrats in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District chose a candidate to succeed retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Adam Hamawy, a Princeton-based plastic surgeon and former combat surgeon, was projected as the winner.

East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen trailed closely behind in the crowded field.

Alyssa Maurice of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University said fundraising can play a decisive role in such races, particularly when multiple candidates are competing for attention.

"In crowded primaries where voters may not know much about the candidates, the voter outreach becomes even more critical," Maurice said. "So the result is that fundraising can have an outsized influence on who breaks through and who gets overlooked."

With primary races now decided, attention shifts to the general election contests that will determine control of key congressional seats in the state.