TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — New Jersey lawmaker Steve Sweeney said Wednesday he is conceding his state Senate race against Republican Edward Durr, a truck driver from the rural town of Swedesboro.
Sweeney, a Democrat, is the longest-serving legislative leader in the history of the state, but suffered a stunning upset loss in the 3rd Legislative District on Election Day. Sweeney, who has served the district since 2002 and has been Senate president since 2010, had previously been talked about as a possible candidate for governor in 2025.
“The results of Tuesday’s election are in, all votes have been fairly counted, and I, of course, accept the results,” Sweeney said, before congratulating Durr and wishing him the best of luck.
“The people of the 3rd Legislative District are the best in New Jersey. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent them in the state Senate, and to serve as the president of the state Senate,” Sweeney added.
.@NJSenatePres concedes he lost to Ed Durr.
“I, of course, accept the results” of the election, he says, and congratulates Durr.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege” representing third legislative district, he says. pic.twitter.com/hLblwJL14p
— Dustin Racioppi (@dracioppi) November 10, 2021
Sweeney, 62, added he doesn’t intend to disappear from the political landscape.
“What the voters said in this election is New Jersey is a state filled with hardworking people who want to provide for their families and as leaders we need to speak directly to the concerns of all voters,” he said. “I plan to keep speaking to those concerns.”
Durr, who was scheduled to speak later Wednesday, describes himself as Christian and blue collar with strong conservative beliefs. He’s a member of the National Rifle Association and a truck driver for Raymour & Flanigan. He barely campaigned, and his campaign video was shot from a smartphone.
He defeated Sweeney by a little more than 2,200 votes.
“It was a red wave,” Sweeney said.
An election to fill Sweeney’s Senate presidency is expected to be held later this week.
CBS2’s Meg Baker will have more on this story on the News at 5 p.m.
from CBS New York https://ift.tt/2Izr88c
