Posted on 11/04/2021 9:34:09 AM PDT by cotton1706
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s longtime state Senate president, Democrat Steve Sweeney, has lost reelection, falling to a Republican newcomer who spent less than $200 on the race and leaving his party reeling.
Edward Durr, a furniture company truck driver and political newcomer, has defeated Sweeney in New Jersey’s 3rd Legislative District, according to results tallied Thursday.
Sweeney’s defeat was unexpected and threw his party’s legislative leadership contest into limbo on Wednesday, when he postponed a meeting set for Thursday. Sweeney had been expected to return as Senate president, but who’ll take over and what margin Democrats will have in the state Legislature is unclear.
Sweeney has served as Senate president since 2010 and was responsible for shepherding Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s progressive agenda through the Legislature, including a phased-in $15 an hour minimum wage, paid sick leave and recreational marijuana legalization.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...
Congratulations Senator-elect Durr.
Yes, and I never implied differently BUT even as a newb in the legislature, he will be a bit of "fish out of water"! Most of his fellow freshman colleagues will have political experience in local office / elected positions. I have only the best wishes for him but there is a cesspit at every door, especially for NJ!
His best bet would be to get the best possible staff ASAP!
William Natcher was a long-time Congressman in Kentucky who used to spend almost nothing on his re-election campaigns...but he was well-known in his district, not a political newcomer.
This man will need our prayers. Conservatives enter politics with good intentions and are bamboozled by members of their own party into going along to get along. Politics is a dirty game.
I read somewhere that Murphy may have been behind this somehow. Maybe by encouraging his folks to stay home or vote for Ed.
“Its not about money, its about sending a message...”
It never occurred to NJ democrats that anyone would actually LOOK at them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.