It’s a classic David-and-Goliath story—a political outsider with a campaign war chest about the size of a coin purse beats the second most powerful officeholder in New Jersey government.
The victor, in this case, is 58-year-old Edward Durr—truck driver, grandfather to six, and staunch pro-life advocate.
Published reports indicate Durr bested New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney to win a seat in the Garden State legislature. Sweeney set the legislative agenda, for nearly 12 years and seemingly had a “vise grip” on his district.
A New York Times article reports that, rather than investing millions in the race, the unassuming Durr spent $153 on his primary campaign and roughly $2,200 on the general election–a pittance by modern political standards. “His campaign video was shot on a smartphone,” according to the New York Times.
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ABC7 New York reported
“I joked with people and I said, ‘I’m going to shock the world, I’m going to beat this man,’” Durr said Wednesday afternoon. “I was saying it, but really kind of joking. Because what chance did a person like me really stand against this man? He’s literally the second-most powerful person in the state of New Jersey.”
Billing himself as a constitutional conservative, Durr has been quoted as saying, “abortion is wrong and should be stopped.”
The longshot candidate ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 2019 and has never before held public office.
But in a year where common sense conservatism matters more than legislative experience, Durr has apparently ridden the Red Wave to victory.
Chances are political scientists will be studying his race for years to come. But for his part, Durr is just eager to be about the people’s business, never forgetting his blue collar roots or his status as a political newcomer.
LifeNews.com Note: Maria Gallagher is the Legislative Director and Political Action Committee Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and she has written and reported for various broadcast and print media outlets, including National Public Radio, CBS Radio, and AP Radio.
