Edward Durr
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 11, 2022 – January 9, 2024
Preceded byStephen Sweeney
Succeeded byJohn Burzichelli
Personal details
Born
Edward Durr Jr.[1]

(1963-07-18) July 18, 1963 (age 60)[2]
Political partyRepublican
Children3
OccupationTruck driver
Website

Edward Durr Jr. (born July 18, 1963) is an American politician and truck driver who served in the New Jersey Senate from 2022 to 2024, representing the 3rd Legislative district. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2021 against incumbent Democratic State Senate President Stephen Sweeney in a major upset. Durr lost re-election in 2023 to Democrat John Burzichelli, a former Assemblyman.

Early life

Durr was born July 18, 1963, and was raised in Gloucester City, New Jersey,[3][2] where he attended Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School.[4]

Political career

2021 State Senate election

See also: 2021 New Jersey State Senate election

Before running for State Senate in 2021, Durr ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly in 2017 and 2019.[5]

Durr ran for New Jersey State Senate as a Republican in 2021. He challenged incumbent Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney in New Jersey's 3rd Legislative District.[5] At the time, Sweeney was the longest-serving Senate president in the history of New Jersey.[6] Durr stated that being denied a concealed carry permit despite having a clean record motivated him to run for State Senate.[2] While it was reported that Durr spent only $153 on his campaign, that was the amount he spent in the unopposed Republican primary, not the general election.[7] Over the course of his general campaign, Durr spent approximately $2,300,[8] while Sweeney spent approximately $305,000.[9] Durr's campaign video was taken using a cell phone.[10]

In a massive political upset, Durr defeated Sweeney on Election Day[7] by a margin of 51.7%-48.3%.[11] Durr's defeat of Sweeney made headlines in The New York Times,[12] The Washington Post,[13] and USA Today.[7] On Election Day, Durr commented, "It didn't happen because of me. I'm nobody. I'm absolutely nobody. I'm just a simple guy. It was the people. It was a repudiation of the policies that have been forced down their throats".[12] He also mentioned how he often joked that he was going to "shock the world" by winning the election, but later stated that he never truly thought it would happen.[8] Durr was likely helped by the performance of Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, who carried the district by over 15 points.[14]

Controversial statements

Following his victory, past social media posts made by Durr created controversy. The posts related to topics such as vaccine mandates, the January 6 Capitol attack, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Islam.[15] He apologized for the comments, stating, "I'm a passionate guy and I sometimes say things in the heat of the moment. If I said things in the past that hurt anybody's feelings, I sincerely apologize".[15]

In 2019, Durr tweeted that "Islam is a false religion" and added that "Mohammed was a pedophile!" Muslim advocacy groups called on him to repudiate the tweet.[16] Durr later met with local Muslim leaders and declared his opposition to "Islamophobia and all forms of hate."[17]

2023 State Senate election

In the June 2023 Republican primary, Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer ran against Durr for the 3rd district seat in the Senate. Durr won by a 65-35% margin winning all 38 of the municipalities in the district.[18]

Heading into the 2023 election, Durr's seat was considered one of the most competitive in the election. Durr and his challenger John Burzichelli repeatedly attacked each other during the campaign trail.[19] Durr ultimately lost to Burzichelli following a concerted effort by South Jersey Democrats to unseat him.[20][21]

Political positions

Durr has advocated for cutting income taxes, corporate taxes, and other state taxes, as well as reducing property taxes. He describes himself as a "constitutional conservative".[2] Durr is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and supports expanding gun rights.[2][19]

Durr is against abortion, saying that "abortion is wrong and should be stopped" and is a supporter of a six-week abortion ban.[2] Durr has supported bills aimed at restricting access to abortion.[19]

In 2022, Durr introduced a bill that would have barred teachers in kindergarten through sixth grade from engaging in instruction on matters of gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill had no senate cosponsors.[22]

Personal life

Durr has three children and six grandchildren.[2] He lives in the Repaupo section of Logan Township.[23][24][25] He is a truck driver for Raymour & Flanigan.[26]

Electoral History

3rd Legislative District General Election, 2023[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Burzichelli 32,382 53.6
Republican Edward Durr (incumbent) 28,018 46.4
Total votes 60,400 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican
New Jersey State Senate election, 2021[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward Durr 33,761 51.7%
Democratic Stephen M. Sweeney (incumbent) 31,562 48.3%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. ^ "Official List, Candidates for General Assembly For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2017 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. November 29, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Friedman, Matt (November 4, 2021). "This truck driver just defeated New Jersey's most powerful lawmaker". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  3. ^ "Edward Durr". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  4. ^ Legislative webpage, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022. "Education: GED, Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School"
  5. ^ a b Krieg, Gregory; Alsharif, Mirna; Murphy, Paul P. (November 6, 2021). "Republican Ed Durr will defeat New Jersey's Senate president, CNN projects". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Steele, Allison (November 10, 2021). "'All votes have been counted': Steve Sweeney concedes loss in New Jersey Senate race". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Walsh, Jim (November 4, 2021). "How a little-known New Jersey truck driver defeated a top state Senate power broker on less than $10,000". USA Today. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Catalini, Mike (November 4, 2021). "Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker". Associated Press. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Catalini, Mike (November 10, 2021). "Durr grapples with new post as Sweeney cites 'red wave'". Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "Why New Jersey Voters Picked a Truck Driver Over the State Senate President". The New Yorker. November 15, 2021.
  11. ^ "2021 New Jersey State Senate General Election Results" (PDF). NJ.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Corasaniti, Nick; Tully, Tracey (November 4, 2021). "Stephen Sweeney, N.J. Senate President, Loses to Republican Truck Driver". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  13. ^ Sonmez, Felicia (November 4, 2021). "Edward Durr Jr., Republican truck driver, defeats longtime New Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney". Washington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  14. ^ "Murphy carried 24 legislative districts on his path to victory". New Jersey Globe. December 1, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Surprise NJ Senate winner says sorry amid scrutiny of posts". Associated Press. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Walsh, Jim (November 5, 2021). "GOP candidate who shocked Sweeney apologizes for offensive tweet". Courier-Post. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  17. ^ Walsh, Jim (November 10, 2021). "Durr rejects 'Islamophobia and all forms of hate' after meeting with Muslims". Courier-Post. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  18. ^ Fox, Joey. "Durr won every single town in his victory against Sawyer", New Jersey Globe,June 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023. "Durr had famously managed to unseat a sitting Senate President, but would he be able to beat the local Republicans, led by his former running mate Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer (R-Woolwich), who wanted him gone? With Tuesday’s Republican primary election now in the rearview mirror, those concerns look almost quaint. Durr crushed Sawyer by more than 30 points, 65%-35%, scoring a landslide victory in each of the 3rd legislative district’s three counties. In fact, Durr’s victory was so dominant that he managed to win every single town in the 3rd legislative district – all 38 of them."
  19. ^ a b c "N.J.'s key election issues include abortion, offshore wind, and parental rights". WHYY. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Fox, Joey (November 8, 2023). "Burzichelli unseats Ed the Trucker, avenging Steve Sweeney's loss". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  21. ^ "John Burzichelli unseats Ed Durr, New Jersey Democrats retain control of legislative majorities". CBS News. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  22. ^ Migdon, Brooke (May 17, 2022). "GOP state senator in New Jersey introduces 'Don't Say Gay' bill". The Hill. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  23. ^ Rushing, Ellie; Seidman, Andrew; Tamari, Jonathan (November 5, 2021). "Republican Ed Durr says his win over N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney is a rejection of pandemic restrictions". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "New Jersey swears in 120 state legislators, including new state Senate president". Westchester.News12.com. January 11, 2022.
  25. ^ "Political newcomer Edward Durr unseats longtime state Sen. Steve Sweeney". News 12 Connecticut. November 4, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2022. Durr is a truck driver from Repaupo, an unincorporated community located within Logan Township. He was born and raised in Gloucester City.
  26. ^ https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr
  27. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate for GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  28. ^ "2021 New Jersey State Senate General Election Results" (PDF). NJ.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2022.

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