Edward Durr Explained

Predecessor:Stephen Sweeney
Successor:John Burzichelli
Birth Name:Edward R. Durr Jr.[1]
Birth Date:18 July 1963[2]
Party:Republican
District:3rd
Term Start:January 11, 2022
Term End:January 9, 2024
State Senate:New Jersey
Spouse:Lynn Durr
Children:3
Website:
    Occupation:Truck driver

    Edward R. 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] 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. 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. 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 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. 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". 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. 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".

    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] His re-election campaign was endorsed by Arkansas U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. [19]

    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. 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". Durr is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and supports expanding gun rights.[22]

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

    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.[23]

    Personal life

    Durr lives with his wife Lynn, in the Repaupo section of Logan Township. [24] Durr has three children, Heather, Melissa, and Edward III. He also has six grandchildren.[25] [26] He is a truck driver for Raymour & Flanigan.[27]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Official List, Candidates for General Assembly For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2017 Election. Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 3, 2017. November 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042121/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf. December 5, 2017. dead.
    2. News: Friedman. Matt. November 4, 2021. This truck driver just defeated New Jersey's most powerful lawmaker. Politico. November 13, 2021.
    3. Web site: Edward Durr. November 4, 2021. NJ Spotlight News. en-US.
    4. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr Legislative webpage
    5. News: Krieg. Gregory. Alsharif. Mirna. Murphy. Paul P.. November 6, 2021. Republican Ed Durr will defeat New Jersey's Senate president, CNN projects. CNN. November 13, 2021.
    6. News: Steele. Allison. Nov 10, 2021. 'All votes have been counted': Steve Sweeney concedes loss in New Jersey Senate race. The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 13, 2021.
    7. News: 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. November 4, 2021.
    8. Web site: Catalini. Mike. November 4, 2021. Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker. November 4, 2021. Associated Press.
    9. News: Catalini. Mike. November 10, 2021. Durr grapples with new post as Sweeney cites 'red wave'. Associated Press. November 13, 2021.
    10. Why New Jersey Voters Picked a Truck Driver Over the State Senate President. November 15, 2021. The New Yorker.
    11. Web site: 2021 New Jersey State Senate General Election Results . NJ.gov . February 27, 2022.
    12. News: Corasaniti. Nick. Tully. Tracey. November 4, 2021. Stephen Sweeney, N.J. Senate President, Loses to Republican Truck Driver. The New York Times. November 13, 2021. 1553-8095.
    13. News: Sonmez. Felicia. November 4, 2021. Edward Durr Jr., Republican truck driver, defeats longtime New Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney. Washington Post. November 9, 2021.
    14. Web site: Murphy carried 24 legislative districts on his path to victory. December 1, 2021. New Jersey Globe.
    15. News: November 5, 2021. Surprise NJ Senate winner says sorry amid scrutiny of posts. Associated Press. November 13, 2021.
    16. News: Walsh. Jim. November 5, 2021. GOP candidate who shocked Sweeney apologizes for offensive tweet. Courier-Post. November 13, 2021.
    17. News: Walsh. Jim. November 10, 2021. Durr rejects 'Islamophobia and all forms of hate' after meeting with Muslims. Courier-Post. 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. Web site: Fox . Joey . 2023-05-02 . Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton endorses Durr for re-election . 2024-07-06 . New Jersey Globe . en-US.
    20. Web site: Fox . Joey . 2023-11-08 . Burzichelli unseats Ed the Trucker, avenging Steve Sweeney's loss . 2023-11-08 . . en-US.
    21. Web site: 2023-11-08 . John Burzichelli unseats Ed Durr, New Jersey Democrats retain control of legislative majorities . 2023-11-08 . CBS News . en-US.
    22. Web site: N.J.'s key election issues include abortion, offshore wind, and parental rights . 2023-11-03 . WHYY . en-US.
    23. Web site: Migdon . Brooke . GOP state senator in New Jersey introduces 'Don't Say Gay' bill . The Hill . 15 March 2023 . 17 May 2022.
    24. News: 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. November 13, 2021.
    25. Web site: New Jersey swears in 120 state legislators, including new state Senate president. Westchester.News12.com. January 11, 2022. January 12, 2022. April 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422083717/https://westchester.news12.com/new-state-senate-president-nick-scutari-sworn-into-new-jersey-legislature. dead.
    26. News: Political newcomer Edward Durr unseats longtime state Sen. Steve Sweeney. News 12 Connecticut. November 4, 2021. 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..
    27. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr

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