MILLVILLE, NJ — Just one week after launching his campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd District, Democrat Bayly Winder is announcing a major early fundraising milestone: more than $170,000 raised from over 450 individual contributions, all before the end-of-quarter deadline. His early fundraising success underscores what polling is already showing: voters are ready for someone new.

The total marks a record-breaking first-week fundraising haul for a Democratic challenger in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District—underscoring the unprecedented momentum behind Winder’s campaign to unseat Rep. Jeff Van Drew. By comparison, in 2024, Democratic nominee Joe Salerno raised $95,000 in his first month and candidate Tim Alexander brought in $8,200 in his first month. Winder’s impressive first week positions him as a strong fundraiser who is capable of bringing in the resources necessary to upset Congressman Jeff Van Drew in a district that is increasingly in play for Democrats.

“We launched this campaign with a simple message: “South Jersey deserves better,” said Winder. “In just seven days, hundreds of people from across this district and beyond have stepped up to say they’re ready for a new generation of leadership—one that puts country over politics and fights for working families, not political convenience.”

Winder, a fourth-generation New Jerseyan, national security expert, and public servant, announced his campaign last week with a powerful message calling out Van Drew’s vote to gut Medicaid and his record of political opportunism. Winder has served under both Democratic and Republican presidents at the State Department, advised the FBI on cybersecurity, and drove key global projects at USAID.