New Jersey Sen. Van Drew Makes It Official: He's Running For Congress

CAPE MAY, N.J. (CBS) - A New Jersey state senator has announced plans to seek the congressional seat being vacated by 12 term republican Frank LoBiondo.

Jeff Van Drew's announcement comes as a surprise to absolutely no one. His name surfaced on Election night, when LoBiondo announced his plans to retire and Van Drew had just been re-elected to his state senate seat down the shore.

"People are really desperately desiring to have good and new common sense leadership in Washington," Van Drew told KYW Newsradio. "They want people in Washington that are going to have some sense of courtesy and decency. I think they want a change."

Two fellow Democrats are already running, but Van Drew has name recognition in the district and the backing of party leaders in the counties that include the Second Congressional District.

As for who might run as Republicans, among the names being mentioned are outgoing Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and State Assemblyman Chris Brown, who will be moving on to the state senate in January.