{{Short description|New Jersey state senator}} {{redirect|Ed Durr|the ancient city in the UAE|Ed Dur}} {{pp-blp|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Ed Durr | image = | caption = Durr in 2025 | state_senate = New Jersey | district = [[New Jersey's 3rd legislative district|3rd]] | term_start = January 11, 2022 | term_end = January 9, 2024 | predecessor = [[Stephen Sweeney]] | successor = [[John Burzichelli]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|7|18}} | birth_place = [[New Jersey]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | spouse = Lynn Durr | children = 3 | website = {{url|EdTheTrucker.com|Official website}} }} '''Edward R. Durr Jr.'''<ref name="AssemblyGeneral">{{cite web |title=Official List, Candidates for General Assembly For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2017 Election |url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf |publisher=[[Secretary of State of New Jersey]] |access-date=December 3, 2017 |date=November 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042121/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf |archive-date=December 5, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (born July 18, 1963)<ref name="Politico">{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Matt |date=November 4, 2021 |title=This truck driver just defeated New Jersey's most powerful lawmaker |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/04/ed-durr-defeats-steve-sweeney-519502 |access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> is an American politician and truck driver who served in the [[New Jersey Senate]] from 2022 to 2024, representing the [[New Jersey's 3rd legislative district|3rd Legislative district]]. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], he was elected in [[2021 New Jersey State Senate election|2021]] against incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] State Senate President [[Stephen Sweeney]] in a major [[Upset (competition)|upset]]. Durr lost re-election in 2023 to Democrat [[John Burzichelli]], a former Assemblyman.
== Early life == Durr was born July 18, 1963, and was raised in [[Gloucester City, New Jersey]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edward Durr|url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/in-the-seat/edward-durr/|access-date=November 4, 2021|website=NJ Spotlight News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Politico" /> where he attended [[Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School]].<ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr Legislative webpage], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 11, 2022. "Education: GED, Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School"</ref>
== Political career ==
=== 2021 State Senate election === {{See also|2021 New Jersey State Senate election}} Before running for State Senate in 2021, Durr ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] in 2017 and 2019.<ref name="auto22">{{Cite news|last1=Krieg|first1=Gregory|last2=Alsharif|first2=Mirna|last3=Murphy|first3=Paul P.|date=November 6, 2021|title=Republican Ed Durr will defeat New Jersey's Senate president, CNN projects|work=[[CNN]]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/politics/ed-durr-steve-sweeney-new-jersey-senate-district-3/index.html|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref>
Durr ran for [[New Jersey Senate|New Jersey State Senate]] as a Republican in 2021. He challenged incumbent Democratic Senate President [[Stephen Sweeney]] in New Jersey's 3rd Legislative District.<ref name="auto22" /> At the time, Sweeney was the longest-serving Senate president in the history of New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Steele|first=Allison|date=Nov 10, 2021|title='All votes have been counted': Steve Sweeney concedes loss in New Jersey Senate race|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-steve-sweeney-conceded-election-durr-upset-norcross-20211110.html|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> Durr stated that being denied a [[concealed carry permit]] despite having a clean record motivated him to run for State Senate.<ref name="Politico" /> While it was reported that Durr spent only $153 on his campaign, that was the amount he spent in the unopposed Republican [[Partisan primary|primary]], not the general election.<ref name="called">{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Jim|date=November 4, 2021|title=How a little-known New Jersey truck driver defeated a top state Senate power broker on less than $10,000|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/04/nj-election-results-ed-durr-steve-sweeney/6283490001/|access-date=November 4, 2021}}</ref> Over the course of his general campaign, Durr spent approximately $2,300,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last1=Catalini|first1=Mike|date=November 4, 2021|title=Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-elections-new-jersey-marijuana-legalization-legislature-223f66b40f5cd4ed30fbf378e05bd443|access-date=November 4, 2021|work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> while Sweeney spent approximately $305,000.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Catalini|first=Mike|date=November 10, 2021|title=Durr grapples with new post as Sweeney cites 'red wave'|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/steve-sweeney-new-jersey-philadelphia-senate-elections-elections-0b6c4b25d9cbd181f474d70aa6562050|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> Durr's campaign video was taken using a cell phone.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/why-new-jersey-voters-picked-a-truck-driver-over-the-state-senate-president|title=Why New Jersey Voters Picked a Truck Driver Over the State Senate President|date=November 15, 2021|magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref>
In a massive political [[Upset (competition)|upset]], Durr defeated Sweeney on [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]]<ref name="called" /> by a margin of 51.7%-48.3%.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2021/2021-official-general-results-state-senate.pdf |title=2021 New Jersey State Senate General Election Results |website=NJ.gov |access-date=February 27, 2022}}</ref> Durr's defeat of Sweeney made headlines in ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|last1=Corasaniti|first1=Nick|last2=Tully|first2=Tracey|date=November 4, 2021|title=Stephen Sweeney, N.J. Senate President, Loses to Republican Truck Driver|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/nyregion/stephen-sweeney-durr-nj-election.html|access-date=November 13, 2021|issn=1553-8095}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last=Sonmez|first=Felicia|date=November 4, 2021|title=Edward Durr Jr., Republican truck driver, defeats longtime New Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/durr-defeats-sweeney/2021/11/04/3c2b9f52-3d85-11ec-bfad-8283439871ec_story.html|access-date=November 9, 2021}}</ref> and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="called" /> On Election Day, Durr commented, "It didn't happen because of me. I'm nobody. I'm absolutely nobody. I'm just a simple guy. It was the people. It was a repudiation of the policies that have been forced down their throats".<ref name="auto1" /> He also mentioned how he often joked that he was going to "shock the world" by winning the election, but later stated that he never truly thought it would happen.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/murphy-carried-24-legislative-districts-on-his-path-to-victory/|title=Murphy carried 24 legislative districts on his path to victory|date=December 1, 2021|website=New Jersey Globe}}</ref>
=== Controversial statements === Following his victory, past social media posts made by Durr created controversy. The posts related to topics such as [[COVID-19 vaccination mandates in the United States|vaccine mandates]], the [[2021 United States Capitol attack|January 6 Capitol attack]], Vice President [[Kamala Harris]], and [[Islam]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|date=November 5, 2021|title=Surprise NJ Senate winner says sorry amid scrutiny of posts|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-elections-media-new-jersey-religion-676b6db5f94d76735c7107226ed72207|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> He apologized for the comments, stating, "I'm a passionate guy and I sometimes say things in the heat of the moment. If I said things in the past that hurt anybody's feelings, I sincerely apologize".<ref name="auto" />
In 2019, Durr tweeted that "Islam is a false religion" and added that "[[Muhammad|Mohammed]] was a pedophile!" Muslim advocacy groups called on him to repudiate the tweet.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walsh|first=Jim|date=November 5, 2021|title=GOP candidate who shocked Sweeney apologizes for offensive tweet|work=[[Courier-Post]]|url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2021/11/04/edward-durr-muslim-tweet-council-american-islamic-relations-muslim-advocates/6290167001/|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> Durr later met with local Muslim leaders and declared his opposition to "[[Islamophobia]] and all forms of hate."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walsh|first=Jim|date=November 10, 2021|title=Durr rejects 'Islamophobia and all forms of hate' after meeting with Muslims|work=[[Courier-Post]]|url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2021/11/10/ed-durr-muslim-tweet-cair-meeting-washington-township/6372844001/|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref>
=== 2023 State Senate election === {{Main|2023 New Jersey Senate election}} In the June 2023 Republican primary, Assemblywoman [[Beth Sawyer]] ran against Durr for the 3rd district seat in the Senate. Sawyer’s decision to run was rooted in growing concern over Durr’s inflammatory rhetoric and lack of legislative accomplishments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Clyde |date=2023-11-02 |title=NJ Elections: GOP Sen. Ed Durr is fighting for his political life |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2023/11/nj-gop-sen-ed-durr-shock-2021-winner-faces-fight-this-election/ |website=NJ Spotlight News |language=en-US}}</ref> His widely criticized comments targeting women, Muslims, and racial minorities had ignited intense backlash within the New Jersey Republican Party and across the state’s political landscape.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=2021-11-10 |title=How the media missed a New Jersey senate candidate's racist social media posts — until he'd already won.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/durr-media-blackout/2021/11/09/5e5714f8-400a-11ec-a88e-2aa4632af69b_story.html |website=The WashingtonPost |language=en-US}}</ref>
Sawyer argued that Durr was unelectable in a general election and that his continued presence on the ballot would jeopardize Republican competitiveness in a key swing district.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Joey |date=2023-05-01 |title=Sawyer pitches herself as an effective legislator |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/sawyer-pitches-herself-as-an-effective-legislator-at-durr-less-debate/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
Despite Sawyer’s warnings, Durr won the Republican primary by a 65–35% margin, carrying all 38 municipalities in the district. The deep-red character of this part of South Jersey likely played a significant role in the outcome, as Durr’s incendiary rhetoric resonated with a segment of the Republican base.<ref>Fox, Joey. [https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/durr-won-every-single-town-in-his-victory-against-sawyer/ "Durr won every single town in his victory against Sawyer"], ''New Jersey Globe'',June 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023. "Durr had famously managed to unseat a sitting Senate President, but would he be able to beat the local Republicans, led by his former running mate Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer (R-Woolwich), who wanted him gone? With Tuesday’s Republican primary election now in the rearview mirror, those concerns look almost quaint. Durr crushed Sawyer by more than 30 points, 65%-35%, scoring a landslide victory in each of the 3rd legislative district’s three counties. In fact, Durr’s victory was so dominant that he managed to win every single town in the 3rd legislative district – all 38 of them."</ref> His re-election campaign was endorsed by Arkansas U.S. Senator [[Tom Cotton]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Joey |date=2023-05-02 |title=Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton endorses Durr for re-election |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/arkansas-senator-tom-cotton-endorses-durr-for-re-election/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
However, Sawyer’s projections proved prescient. Heading into the general election, Durr’s seat was considered one of the most competitive races in the state. He faced former Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a seasoned Democrat, in a bitter and high-profile campaign marked by mutual attacks. South Jersey Democrats mounted a coordinated effort to reclaim the seat, and Durr ultimately lost to Burzichelli.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Joey |date=2023-11-08 |title=Burzichelli unseats Ed the Trucker, avenging Steve Sweeney's loss |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/burzichelli-unseats-ed-the-trucker-avenging-steve-sweeneys-loss/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=[[New Jersey Globe]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=John Burzichelli unseats Ed Durr, New Jersey Democrats retain control of legislative majorities |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/nj-election-results-john-burzichelli-ed-durr-democrats/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2025 gubernatorial election === {{Main|2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election}} On June 24, 2024, Durr announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor of New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Brent |date=2024-05-14 |title=Republican truck driver who shocked N.J. politics pulls into governor's race |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2024/05/republican-truck-driver-who-shocked-nj-politics-pulls-into-governors-race.html |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref> Durr withdrew from the race on March 25, 2025 after failing to gain the required amount of eligible signatures needed to make the ballot, or the funding he needed to qualify for matching funds from the State and continue participating in debates.<ref name="Rooney">{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=Matt |date=2025-03-24 |title=The Trucker's campaign ends with open questions |url=https://savejersey.com/2025/03/ed-the-trucker-durr-campaign-governor-republican-primary-new-jersey/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=SaveJersey |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Durr ends bid for governor, endorses Spadea for GOP nod |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/durr-ends-bid-for-governor-endorses-spadea-for-gop-nod/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=njglobe |language=en}}</ref> After dropping out of the race, Durr endorsed Bill Spadea.<ref>{{cite news |title=Republican truck driver Ed Durr ends bid to be New Jersey governor and backs Bill Spadea |url=https://apnews.com/article/ed-durr-new-jersey-governor-c59d535d456bfa0467e4161943bf97fd |access-date=7 July 2025 |work=AP News |date=24 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
== Political positions == ===Taxes=== Durr has advocated for cutting income taxes, corporate taxes, and other state taxes, as well as reducing property taxes. He describes himself as a "constitutional conservative".<ref name="Politico" />
===Gun policy=== Durr was endorsed by the NRA and given A+ rating. Durr is a strong supporter of the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] and supports expanding gun rights.<ref name="Politico" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=N.J.'s key election issues include abortion, offshore wind, and parental rights |url=https://whyy.org/articles/new-jersey-elections-2023-abortion-parental-rights-offshore-wind/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=WHYY |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Gay rights=== In 2022, Durr introduced a bill that would have barred teachers in kindergarten through sixth grade from engaging in instruction on matters of [[gender identity]] and sexual orientation. The bill had no senate cosponsors.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Migdon |first1=Brooke |title=GOP state senator in New Jersey introduces 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/3491815-gop-state-senator-in-new-jersey-introduces-dont-say-gay-bill/ |website=The Hill |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=17 May 2022}}</ref>
== Personal life == Durr lives with his wife Lynn in the [[Repaupo, New Jersey|Repaupo]] section of [[Logan Township, New Jersey|Logan Township]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rushing|first1=Ellie|last2=Seidman|first2=Andrew|last3=Tamari|first3=Jonathan|date=November 5, 2021|title=Republican Ed Durr says his win over N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney is a rejection of pandemic restrictions|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/ed-durr-truck-driver-wins-election-nj-2021-20211104.html|access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> He has three children; Heather, Melissa, and Edward III, who ran for Councilman of Logan Township in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Municipal - Election Night Reporting |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Gloucester/122580/web.345435/#/detail/0034}}</ref> He also has six grandchildren.<ref name="Politico" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westchester.news12.com/new-state-senate-president-nick-scutari-sworn-into-new-jersey-legislature|title=New Jersey swears in 120 state legislators, including new state Senate president|website=Westchester.News12.com|date=January 11, 2022|access-date=January 12, 2022|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422083717/https://westchester.news12.com/new-state-senate-president-nick-scutari-sworn-into-new-jersey-legislature|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://connecticut.news12.com/political-newcomer-edward-durr-unseats-longtime-state-sen-steve-sweeney |title=Political newcomer Edward Durr unseats longtime state Sen. Steve Sweeney|website=News 12 Connecticut|date=November 4, 2021|access-date=January 20, 2022|quote=Durr is a truck driver from Repaupo, an unincorporated community located within Logan Township. He was born and raised in Gloucester City.}}</ref> He is a truck driver for [[Raymour & Flanigan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr|title=NJ Legislature}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change |title = 3rd Legislative District General Election, 2023<ref name=generalres>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2023/2023-official-general-results-state-senate.pdf|website=New Jersey Department of State|title=Official List, Candidates for State Senate for GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election|date=December 6, 2023|access-date=December 6, 2023}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = [[John J. Burzichelli]] | votes = 32,382 | percentage = 53.61 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Edward Durr ([[incumbent]]) | votes = 28,018 | percentage = 46.39 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 60,400 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box gain with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) | loser = Republican Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title= New Jersey State Senate election, 2021<ref name="auto2"/>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Edward Durr |votes = 33,761 |percentage = 51.68 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen M. Sweeney ([[incumbent]]) |votes = 31,562 |percentage = 48.32 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 65,323 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)|loser=Democratic Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/439/senator-durr Senator Durr's legislative webpage], [[New Jersey Legislature]] *{{Official website|https://3d4nj.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Durr, Edward}} [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:21st-century members of the New Jersey Legislature]] [[Category:American truck drivers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Gloucester City, New Jersey]] [[Category:Politicians from Camden County, New Jersey]] [[Category:Politicians from Gloucester County, New Jersey]] [[Category:Republican Party New Jersey state senators]]