Free Republic

One of New Jersey's most powerful elected Democrats conceded Wednesday that he lost reelection to a Republican political newcomer, a commercial truck driver who spent only a couple thousand dollars on his campaign. State Sen. President Steve Sweeney's loss to Edward Durr in southern New Jersey shocked state officials and left state Democrats, who control the Legislature, searching for a new leader. “I of course accept the results. I want to congratulate Mr. Durr and wish him the best of luck," Sweeney said during a speech at the statehouse complex Wednesday. Sweeney said his loss to Durr, who spent at...

The Atlantic, a left-liberal publication that has become a clearinghouse for anti-Republican commentary, published an essay in which it expressed skepticism that a blue-collar truck driver like Edward Durr could perform the duties of his elected office. Last week, Durr shocked the political world by defeating incumbent New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney, one of the most powerful Democrats in the state and the longest-serving legislative leader in its history. The essay in The Atlantic, by Tom Nichols, titled “Populism Always Sounds Great in the Abstract,” mocks Durr: “A New Jersey truck driver defeated the state Senate president, but...

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney conceded Wednesday following last week's election. Sweeney, a Democrat representing New Jersey's 3rd Legislative District, lost to political newcomer Republican Ed Durr. "The results of Tuesday's election are in, all votes have been fairly counted, and I, of course, accept the results," Sweeney said. He then congratulated Durr on his victory. Sweeney said he would not call for a recount. Sweeney added that he won't be withdrawing from public life, though he stopped short of saying whether he would seek election to the Senate again or run for governor...

Earlier today, we reported about 58-year-old truck driver Edward Durr, who defeated longtime State Senate President Steve Sweeney. Durr, who only spent $153 on his primary campaign, has just won southern New Jersey’s state Senate race, beating out the longest-serving Senate president in the state’s history.Having lived in New Jersey his whole life, Durr started his campaign by introducing himself door-to-door and, as a self-proclaimed “simple man,” he made a campaign video primarily by himself.Meet Edward Durr, the Republican truck driver who could oust longtime Senate President Steve Sweeney – with spending just $153 on his campaign. pic.twitter.com/4q6BuwTQVp— The Lakewood...

UPSET ALERT: GOP truck driver Edward Durr, who spent $153 on his campaign, leads incumbent Dem State Senate President Steve Sweeney.. In what could be the BEST story of the 2021 election cycle, Republican Edward Durr — a Harley-riding, Eagles fan and truck driver — is on the verge of defeating his Dem opponent, 7-term incumbent State Senate President Steve Sweeney after reportedly spending only $153 on his campaign: https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/11/live-election-results-nj-senate-assembly-races-2021.html

Call it the consummate New Jersey compromise. Governor Phil Murphy and State Senate leader Steve Sweeney have been fighting over whether to raise tax rates on individuals or businesses, and over the weekend they decided to raise taxes on both. Messrs. Murphy and Sweeney agreed to raise the state’s income tax on residents making more than $5 million to 10.75% from 8.97% and the corporate rate on companies with more than $1 million in income to 11.5% from 9%. This will give New Jersey the fourth highest marginal income tax rate on individuals and the second highest corporate rate after...

The recent death of Jersey-born Antonin Scalia leaves the nation's highest court with just one justice born in Trenton, Sam Alito (who has a coffee blend named after him at Ward's in Newark). I suspect the rest of the country doesn't really care about that. What they do care about is the fight over whether the Republicans can keep that seat open until the new president takes office 11 months from now. Of course they can - at least if the actions of New Jersey's Democrats are any example. State Senate President Steve Sweeney has kept a seat on our...

TRENTON — With the special Senate election less than a week away, both candidates wasted no time Thursday to thrust the government shutdown front and center of their campaigns. At a press conference at the Statehouse, Newark mayor Cory Booker linked Republican challenger Steve Lonegan to the tea party contingent blamed by some for bringing on the shutdown, which has so far lasted 10 days. “New Jersey has a chance to send a message to Washington, as a chance to make a statement on behalf of all Americans, about what kind of politics we’re going to have,” Booker said. “Are...