GOP Truck Driver Officially Beats Powerful Dem In New Jersey After Spending Only $153 On Campaign
A powerful Dem New Jersey politician has officially lost to a GOP truck driver who spent $153 on his campaign, most of it on Dunkin Donuts. New Jersey state senate president Stephen Sweeney has officially lost his seat to Republican Ed Durr, a retired truck driver. The AP just called the race.
Steve Sweeney was the longest-serving legislative leader in NJ history. Durr raised more than $10,000 during their campaign but spent only $153: $66.64 at Dunkin to buy food and drinks for staff. He also spent $86.67 for paper flyers and business cards.
“Well, I’m a numbers guy and I’ve looked at the numbers over the years,” Durr said in an August. “We have a district that is 150,00 voters. Senator Sweeney has never broken 32,000 votes and so I felt if he can’t even get half the district, that means there’s numbers out there to be taken, and you just have to get people to come out and vote. I believe if they come out and vote, we could win.”
From The New Jersey Globe:
Senate President Steve Sweeney, the longest-serving legislative leader in New Jersey history, is on the verge of losing his own State Senate seat in what could be a stunning political upset.
Edward Durr, a conservative truck driver who reported spending just $153 on his campaign, leads Sweeney by 2,009 votes in the South Jersey-based 3rd legislative district.
Sweeney’s defeat would cause a total realignment of politics in New Jersey, and most immediately creates a wide-open race for Senate President.
Democrats lost bids to flip two GOP Senate seats and appear to have lost two or three more, something that could reduce their majority from 25-15 to 22-18.
Republican won two other hugely competitive Senate races in South Jersey.
From NBC10:
Sweeney has held the District 3 seat since 2004. It encompasses parts of Cumberland and Gloucester counties, as well as Salem County.
A loss would also raise questions about the political power of South Jersey Democratic boss George Norcross, who has been aligned with Sweeney for decades.
Republicans seem likely to take several seats in addition to Sweeney’s in an unexpected election day that also saw Gov. Phil Murphy contesting his seat in a closer-than-expected race that as of Wednesday afternoon remained too close to call.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Top NJ lawmaker Steve Sweeney defeated by GOP newcomer Edward Durr, who spent just $153 on his campaign.
— Mike Catalini (@mikecatalini) November 4, 2021
Wow. It’s hard to overstate Sweeney’s juice. One of those state legislators who seemed untouchable https://t.co/0KUsR56L7H
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) November 4, 2021
CAN YOU FEEL THE DURRMENTUM
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 4, 2021
Top NJ lawmaker Steve Sweeney defeated by GOP newcomer Edward Durr, who spent just $153 on his campaign https://t.co/2n2ewIeeik