The truck driver who defeated New Jersey’s powerful lawmaker
How $153 won against $1,061,957
I will admit. I am still laughing as I write this.
It feels wrong, but I still cannot stop laughing at the predicament of New Jersey’s State Senate President Steve Sweeney.
The most powerful democratic lawmaker in New Jersey dropped a million dollars on his race, only to lose it by 2,229 votes — or four percentage points to Ed Durr, a truck driver for Raymour & Flanigan.
The 58-year-old Durr spent $153, according to preliminary campaign finance disclosures. WSJ reported that Mr. Durr spent that money in Dunkin’. In comparison, Steve Sweeney spent $1,061,957 on “polls, advertisements, consultants, and fliers.”
“There wasn’t enough money for a campaign office, so Mr. Durr and two women running for the state Assembly in the same district shared space with the county party. His campaign used its money for paper fliers, cards, signs, and coffee and pizza for volunteers”.
This is a race in which Steve Sweeney ran against Steve Sweeney. The residents of South Jersey’s 3rd Legislative District sent a message that they do not want Steve Sweeney to represent them. It was a protest vote against Sweeney than a vote to elect Durr.
“While I am currently trailing in the race, we want to make sure every vote is counted,” Mr. Sweeney said in a statement. “Our voters deserve that, and we will wait for the final results.”
Steve Sweeney can wait for another year, but the race has already been called for Edward Durr. And there is no bridge available to cross a 4 point loss.
