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New Jersey’s state Senate President Steve Sweeney was defeated by a Republican who spent less than $10,000 on his campaign, in a stunning loss for Democrats in this week’s elections.
Truck driver Edward Durr Jr., who the Associated Press says describes himself as fiscally conservative and a 2nd Amendment rights advocate, reportedly said he spent between $5,000 and $10,000 on his campaign.
By contrast, reports the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, an Oct. 4 filing by Sweeney’s campaign showed spending of more than $490,000 — including $400,000 to a joint campaign for 3rd district Democrats.
The furniture-company driver’s victory was notable not just for its shoestring budget, but for his toppling of one of the state’s most powerful politicians.
“What chance did a person like me really stand against this man?” Durr asked on Wednesday. “He’s literally the second-most powerful person in the state of New Jersey,” Durr said, according to the AP.
New Jersey’s Democratic governor Phil Murphy only narrowly won re-election, squeezing out a victory that spared Democrats the loss of a second gubernatorial seat after Republican Glenn Youngkin won in Virginia.
