CAMDEN, NJ – Steve Sweeney has held a firm grip on New Jersey’s state Senate since being elected Senate President. Now, he’s out of a job after trucker Ed Durr defeated the state’s most powerful Democrat 52% to 48% with a campaign account of just $153.
Durr earned 32,497 votes to Sweeney’s 32,268. Sweeney has been the face of New Jersey’s Democrats since taking his the senate president’s seat in 2010.
Although Durr raised $10,560 in campaign donations, his latest New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission report filed last week shows he spent just $153.31 to defeat Sweeney.
His expenses included a $66.64 bill at Dunkin Donuts to buy coffee and food for poll workers and an $86.67 bill at the UPS store to print flyers and palm cards.
On the other side of the aisle, Sweeney raised nearly one million dollars, $908,794, and spent $490,000 of it to lose. Sweeney received dozens of large donations from New Jersey’s top pay-to-play firms, political influencers and corporations, including Exxon, NJ Bankers, NJ Merchants Association, H&R Block, and multiple big union donations.
Sweeney spent thousands of dollars on food and drinks for campaign staffers but doled out most of his campaign earnings to other Democrats across the state.
“I have lived here all my life. I have been a commercial truck driver for last 25 years. I consider myself to be “blue collar.”” Durr said in his campaign messaging. “I am hard working, trusting and very loyal. I believe in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and lower taxes. I also support the 2nd Amendment. I am not a polish politician who is looking for a career; instead, I would like to see government return to the hands of the people.I strive for New Jersey become the state it was when I was a child.A place people enjoy and can raise a family.A place where people feel safe, and children can receive a proper education.A place where you can find a job and make a living to enjoy instead of just survive. A place where you can buy a home without the fear of losing it to high taxes.”