This truck driver just took down New Jersey's most powerful lawmaker

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Durr, a truck driver for the furniture store Raymour & Flanigan, was declared the victor Thursday in a race against one of the most powerful people in New Jersey: State Senate President Steve Sweeney, a top officer in the international Ironworkers union whose influence rivals that of governors.

In a week filled with surprises beyond the razor-thin New Jersey governor’s race, the election in South Jersey’s 3rd Legislative District was the biggest shocker of all — and one with massive implications for the future of New Jersey politics. Sweeney, who’s led the state’s upper legislative chamber for 12 years, was talked up in Democratic circles as a likely 2025 candidate for governor. He had amassed significant power in Trenton, shrewdly cutting deals with former Republican Gov. Chris Christie and frequently standing in the way of Gov. Phil Murphy’s agenda.

Even Durr harbored doubts about his chances and wasn’t ready to declare victory in a Wednesday interview, telling POLITICO he was “walking on eggshells” until the results became official. State Republicans quickly jumped on victory — despite deploying no resources in the race.

“I kept telling myself and telling people I was going to do it, but in the back of my mind I was like, ‘You know, how am I going to beat the Senate president?” said Durr, who ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2019 and has never held elected office.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/04/ed-durr-defeats-steve-sweeney-519502

[brooklynite]

2. Republican victories rarely get applause here...

[COL Mustard]

4. Yeah, Makes Me Wonder Why

This is even posted here.

[riversedge]

3. Durr, who considers himself a "constitutional conservative," said he also sensed a backlash to the i

I am not applauding this win by Durr.



................Durr, who considers himself a “constitutional conservative,” said he also sensed a backlash to the influence wielded by South Jersey Democrats, whose cohesion under power broker George Norcross had made them virtually unbeatable — until now.

[COL Mustard]

5. He Got A Good Constitutional Education

At truck driver school.

[Mawspam2]

6. Don't knock truck drivers.

I have a college degree and drove semis for 16 years. Drivers have a lot of time to think about stuff while tooling down the highway.

Seems to me Steve Sweeney didn't take his district seriously.

[BradAllison]

7. They also have plenty of time to listen to Rush Limpballs and Alex Jones n/m

[COL Mustard]

8. Nothing Against Truckers. We Wouldn't Have Survived Last Year Without Them

But I doubt he studied Constitutional Law before...anywhere.

[COL Mustard]

9. And Sorry If It Seemed Disrespectful To Teamsters

Not at all intended.....

[bullwinkle428]

10. Newly elected GOP state senator's social media accounts contain xenophobic, anti-Muslim posts

Hours after Edward Durr seemingly solidified his stunning election victory over state Senate President Steve Sweeney, xenophobic and anti-Muslim social media messages have surfaced that were posted from his accounts.

A post from his Twitter account in September 2019 labeled Islam “a false religion” and its prophet, Muhammad, a “pedophile.”

A pair of tweets from Durr’s account called U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez a “pedophile” in 2017 and 2018. And multiple posts from his Facebook account downplayed the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol — one called it “not an insurrection ... (but) an unauthorized entry by undocumented federal employers!”

In September, a post from Durr’s Facebook account compared COVID-19 mandates to Jews being exterminated in the Holocaust.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/11/newly-elected-gop-state-senators-social-media-accounts-contain-homophobic-anti-muslim-posts.html

Sorry to ruin the "Cinderella story", B!!

[regnaD kciN]

11. Imagine. My. Shock.

Republicans gonna Republican.

[question everything]

12. After Whinny Donny win, anyone can run and win any seat. No experience necessary

Once upon a time, dare I say before Social Media? aspirants started at school board, or park board and then climbed up.

[nattyice]

13. Sweeney helped Chris Christie with f-ing up healthcare for the school teachers

The NEA spent big money to primary him. Teachers resented Sweeney. Is the Alternative any better? God, No.