Republican truck driver spends just $153 to defeat powerful New Jersey state senator

A New Jersey truck driver who spent only $153 on his campaign has defeated the longtime president of the New Jersey Senate, according to unofficial election results.

Edward Durr, a Republican, won 52 percent of the votes, defeating New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney in the District 3 Senate race. His grassroots campaign included knocking on doors to introduce himself to voters.

“The funny thing is, whenever I went around door-to-door, everybody, the first words out of their mouth was ‘good luck;’ like they knew the political power that was being wielded down here,” Durr said. “We need people who understand the adverse effects of what’s going on in this state.”

Sweeney has been the Senate president since 2010 and has served as a New Jersey senator since 2002.

“I believe in God,” Durr said. “I am hard working, trusting and very loyal. I believe in fiscal responsibility, transparency and lower taxes.

Durr, a conservative, pro-life Christian, advocated tax reform, saying that taxes, including property taxes, are a big problem in New Jersey. “We have taxed the people to the verge of death,” he said. “Many people have decided to move out of a state they lived in all their life. I feel we must reduce taxes across the board, along with reducing government.”

Durr spent only $153 on his election campaign, including a purchase of Dunkin’ Donuts for his small team. He raised less than $10,000, according to his campaign finance filings. Durr’s entire district in southern New Jersey turned Republican as two Democratic assemblymen also were defeated by Republican women in the November 2 election: Bethanne McCarthy Patrick, a firefighter/EMT, and real estate agent Beth Sawyer, according to unofficial returns for the New Jersey election.

In the election of governor, the AP has called the race for Democrat Phil Murphy by a margin of less than 14,000 votes out of 2.5 million cast. The Secretary of State has not called the race as news of double vote counting, in the amount of 10,000 votes for Murphy, were reported by election officials in one county.

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice