CAPE MAY − Mayor Zack Mullock is testing the waters on whether he might challenge U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew for his seat in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District.
“A month ago, I would’ve been shocked to be having this conversation, because the truth is I love being mayor of Cape May,” Mullock said in an interview with the Sentinel last week. “I feel such a call to serve, and what’s happening right now does not represent the South Jersey that I know.”
If Mullock enters the fray, he will run on the Democratic ticket. The deadline to file a petition for the June primary is March 23. There are four Democrats already in the primary – Tim Alexander, Terri Reese, Bayly Winder and Bill Finn.
“I love working with everyone, regardless of party, and to be blunt, putting people over politics and getting work done,” Mullock said. “I try to serve everybody, regardless of the little letter at the end of the name.”
Mullock was elected mayor in 2020 and ran unopposed again in 2024. His current term expires at the end of 2028.
“We’re living in some of the most divisive times in our lives and our country’s life,” he said, adding that change must start somewhere.
Recently, Mullock made headlines for criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its use of deadly force, stating in a recent social media post that the county is experiencing a “constitutional crisis.”
He said his statement is not anti-ICE, but as a mayor thousands of miles away from Minneapolis, he spoke out because of the immediate reactions from other political figureheads, including President Donald Trump.
“We have a Constitution to protect us from these types of events, and we have to defend our Constitution,” Mullock said. “We can’t watch the erosion of states’ rights, which is what I said in the letter.”
Among other pertinent political issues, such as the economy, the budget and the Affordable Care Act, Mullock said the recent removal of informational plaques about slavery was another reason he is considering running.
“I see it and I can’t stay quiet, and I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer,” he said. “It’s motivating.”
On Jan. 22, CBS News reported that “a series of informational signs about slavery were removed from the President’s House in Old City Philadelphia, a historic site operated by the National Park Service.”
“I see the slavery and African American history boards as a moral obligation, it’s not a political argument,” Mullock said. “When you lose an election, there are consequences and I don’t think people voted for that.”
Beyond the county
NJ-2 covers a wide swath of South Jersey, including Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, in addition to a portion of Gloucester, Ocean, and Burlington counties. Mullock, who grew up in Cape May, would need to build name recognition outside his county to drum up support.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done as mayor and frankly, I’m prouder of the things I’ve done outside of being mayor than things I’ve done on the inside,” Mullock said.
Mullock has served on several boards and has been heavily involved in historic preservation and restoration, notably with his family-owned Chalfonte Hotel, and the construction and restoration of the Harriet Tubman Museum.
“Outside of Cape May County, I’ve got a lot of work to do and hopefully folks open the door and I can have a conversation,” he said.
Popular local issues range from high electric bills to the Affordable Care Act.
“We’ve seen the utility bills, and we look at the stock market and it’s near record highs, but I, like everybody, don’t feel that,” Mullock said. “That’s because we’re living in our country’s largest income inequality gap, that’s bigger than before and during the Great Depression.”
Mullock added that, regarding the economy, there needs to be a fight for the lower and middle classes in South Jersey.
“I think that income inequality is why things are great for a few and not so great for the many,” he said.
Political experience
Serving with love and compassion is what Mullock says he strives to accomplish. He said he has a strong track record of working with everyone.
“I hesitate to say across the aisle, because I don’t care what side of the aisle you’re on,” Mullock said. “That’s exactly what we need in Washington, D.C., which if it was anything like Cape May, we’d be in great shape right now.”
In his experience as mayor of Cape May City, Mullock has worked with many politicians to get the job done. He believes his executive-level work would be helpful if he decides to run for the NJ-2 seat.
“We want to make sure our city is a ‘shining city on a hill,’ [like President Ronald Reagan] said,” Mullock added. “I think that’s how many of us see America and we can get back there, but there’s going to have to be compromise on all sides.”
Balancing a political campaign with his commitments is pivotal for Mullock.
“I always said to my wife that my family is going to come first,” Mullock said. “But I’ve always been a worker, and I’ve always wanted to put my time in and that’s what I love to do.”
He credits his family and friends for creating an excellent support system.
“I’ll be looking for the best and brightest and we really need to base decisions on science, mathematics, and what’s truly best for our country,” Mullock said.
– By RACHEL SHUBIN/For the Sentinel