Edward Durr
Edward Durr | |
---|---|
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 11, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Stephen Sweeney |
Personal details | |
Born | Edward Durr Jr.[1] July 18, 1963[2] |
Political party | Republican |
Children | 3 |
Occupation | Truck driver |
Website | |
Edward Durr Jr. (born July 18, 1963) is an American politician and truck driver who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2022, representing the 3rd Legislative district. A member of the Republican Party, Durr won his first election in 2021 against incumbent Democratic State Senate President Stephen Sweeney in what was considered a major upset.
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[]
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 dollars 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 cellular 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]
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. He has said that "abortion is wrong and should be stopped" and is a supporter of fetal heartbeat legislation.[2]
Personal life[]
Durr has three children and six grandchildren.[2] He lives in the Repaupo section of Logan Township.[18][19][20]
References[]
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d e f Friedman, Matt (November 4, 2021). "This truck driver just defeated New Jersey's most powerful lawmaker". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ "Edward Durr". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ Legislative webpage, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022. "Education: GED, Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School"
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Catalini, Mike (November 4, 2021). "Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker". Associated Press. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ Catalini, Mike (November 10, 2021). "Durr grapples with new post as Sweeney cites 'red wave'". Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ "Why New Jersey Voters Picked a Truck Driver Over the State Senate President". The New Yorker. November 15, 2021.
- ^ "2021 New Jersey State Senate General Election Results" (PDF). NJ.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Murphy carried 24 legislative districts on his path to victory". New Jersey Globe. December 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Surprise NJ Senate winner says sorry amid scrutiny of posts". Associated Press. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (November 5, 2021). "GOP candidate who shocked Sweeney apologizes for offensive tweet". Courier-Post. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (November 10, 2021). "Durr rejects 'Islamophobia and all forms of hate' after meeting with Muslims". Courier-Post. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "New Jersey swears in 120 state legislators, including new state Senate president". Westchester.News12.com. January 11, 2022.
- ^ "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.
External links[]
- 1960s births
- 21st-century American politicians
- American truck drivers
- Conservatism in the United States
- Living people
- New Jersey Republicans
- New Jersey state senators
- People from Gloucester City, New Jersey
- People from Gloucester County, New Jersey