Latest news with #Durr
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Jersey's GOP primary for governor could pivot on Trump, a part-time resident
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The most important Republican in New Jersey's race for governor this year might well be a part-time resident of Bedminster who burnished his reputation and his brand near the Atlantic City Boardwalk. 'Donald Trump is the X factor in this GOP primary,' said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship. 'His endorsement right now could make or break, depending on to whom he gives it.' But in a state that has long leaned Democratic, the president's endorsement in the June 10 primary could complicate things in a general election, where the winner of a six-person Democratic field awaits. That may explain why one Republican candidate, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, has criticized Trump over his pardons for those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, and why two other leading contenders have sought the president's support without much fanfare. Still, in one of only two states with a race for governor this year — Virginia is the other — the general election will be closely watched for clues about whether blue state voters have been won over or repelled by Trump's leadership. Trump, who built his brand as an Atlantic City casino owner and still owns property in New Jersey, including the Bedminster golf club, narrowed the margin between 2020 and 2024 but still lost the state, and Democrats maintain firm control. Some Republicans think that's changing. The GOP field dwindled from five candidates to four this past week when Ed Durr, a former state senator and vocal Trump supporter, dropped out. Durr made national news in 2021 when he shocked state Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, by winning in their southern New Jersey district. A furniture truck driver new to elected office, Durr said in a statement he was ending his campaign so radio host and fellow Trump supporter Bill Spadea could defeat 'never Trumpers' in the race. Both Spadea and Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP nominee for governor who lost by roughly three percentage points to term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, have said critical things of Trump in the past, but both have embraced him lately. Ciattarelli met with the president last week. Chris Russell, his campaign strategist, declined to discuss details of the meeting, but said Ciattarelli welcomes the president's support if he should give it. A message seeking comment was left with Spadea's campaign. Mario Kranjac, the former two-term mayor of the suburban New York City town of Englewood Cliffs and a recent entrant into the race, said he thinks he is the most Trump-aligned candidate because he never wavered in his support for Trump during the president's first term. 'The residents and citizens and taxpayers of New Jersey need a governor with fixed values and beliefs, and that's me -- in terms of everything that I stand for and that President Trump stands for,' he said in a phone interview. 'They shouldn't have to worry that when something happens, their candidate is going to abandon President Trump, which I would never do.' Part of the challenge for Republicans is that the value of Trump's support is a moving target. The first two months of his second term as president may have alienated some voters but won others over. Anticipating how much value Trump could add to the campaign when voters cast their primary ballots is guesswork, with circumstances changing by the day. In the pre-Trump era, some Republicans successfully navigated the shoals between the primary and the general elections. While Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey in more than five decades, they have enjoyed more success in governor's races. The last three Republicans elected governor — Thomas Kean Sr., Christine Todd Whitman and Chris Christie — all won two consecutive terms. But their brand of politics included business-friendly conservatism, hardly the same as Trump's aggressive populism. Democrats remain the dominant party in the state, but some Republicans say that hold is slipping. Russell, Ciattarelli's strategist, points to the registration gains the GOP has made, shaving the Democrats' advantage from 1 million more voters to 834,000 more. He said Democrats should not be overconfident in their traditional advantages. 'I think they're missing the lesson of the 2024 election in New Jersey, which is Donald Trump did exceedingly well in New Jersey,' he said. The weight of Trump's influence lingers as one of the lessons the GOP took from 2024. That much seemed evident in Durr's withdrawal from the race. In his statement announcing the decision, Durr said he was ending his campaign so Spadea could prevail. Soon after, Durr said his statement was not actually an endorsement. Steve Kush, a Durr spokesperson, explained the distinction and, in the process, reflected who the big dog is in the primary. 'He doesn't want to use the word endorse because he doesn't want to get ahead of President Trump,' Kush said.
Associated Press
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
New Jersey's GOP primary for governor could pivot on Trump, a part-time resident
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The most important Republican in New Jersey's race for governor this year might well be a part-time resident of Bedminster who burnished his reputation and his brand near the Atlantic City Boardwalk. 'Donald Trump is the X factor in this GOP primary,' said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship. 'His endorsement right now could make or break, depending on to whom he gives it.' But in a state that has long leaned Democratic, the president's endorsement in the June 10 primary could complicate things in a general election, where the winner of a six-person Democratic field awaits. That may explain why one Republican candidate, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, has criticized Trump over his pardons for those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, and why two other leading contenders have sought the president's support without much fanfare. Still, in one of only two states with a race for governor this year — Virginia is the other — the general election will be closely watched for clues about whether blue state voters have been won over or repelled by Trump's leadership. Trump, who built his brand as an Atlantic City casino owner and still owns property in New Jersey, including the Bedminster golf club, narrowed the margin between 2020 and 2024 but still lost the state, and Democrats maintain firm control. Some Republicans think that's changing. The GOP field dwindled from five candidates to four this past week when Ed Durr, a former state senator and vocal Trump supporter, dropped out. Durr made national news in 2021 when he shocked state Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, by winning in their southern New Jersey district. A furniture truck driver new to elected office, Durr said in a statement he was ending his campaign so radio host and fellow Trump supporter Bill Spadea could defeat 'never Trumpers' in the race. Both Spadea and Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP nominee for governor who lost by roughly three percentage points to term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, have said critical things of Trump in the past, but both have embraced him lately. Ciattarelli met with the president last week. Chris Russell, his campaign strategist, declined to discuss details of the meeting, but said Ciattarelli welcomes the president's support if he should give it. A message seeking comment was left with Spadea's campaign. Mario Kranjac, the former two-term mayor of the suburban New York City town of Englewood Cliffs and a recent entrant into the race, said he thinks he is the most Trump-aligned candidate because he never wavered in his support for Trump during the president's first term. 'The residents and citizens and taxpayers of New Jersey need a governor with fixed values and beliefs, and that's me -- in terms of everything that I stand for and that President Trump stands for,' he said in a phone interview. 'They shouldn't have to worry that when something happens, their candidate is going to abandon President Trump, which I would never do.' Part of the challenge for Republicans is that the value of Trump's support is a moving target. The first two months of his second term as president may have alienated some voters but won others over. Anticipating how much value Trump could add to the campaign when voters cast their primary ballots is guesswork, with circumstances changing by the day. In the pre-Trump era, some Republicans successfully navigated the shoals between the primary and the general elections. While Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey in more than five decades, they have enjoyed more success in governor's races. The last three Republicans elected governor — Thomas Kean Sr., Christine Todd Whitman and Chris Christie — all won two consecutive terms. But their brand of politics included business-friendly conservatism, hardly the same as Trump's aggressive populism. Democrats remain the dominant party in the state, but some Republicans say that hold is slipping. Russell, Ciattarelli's strategist, points to the registration gains the GOP has made, shaving the Democrats' advantage from 1 million more voters to 834,000 more. He said Democrats should not be overconfident in their traditional advantages. 'I think they're missing the lesson of the 2024 election in New Jersey, which is Donald Trump did exceedingly well in New Jersey,' he said. The weight of Trump's influence lingers as one of the lessons the GOP took from 2024. That much seemed evident in Durr's withdrawal from the race. In his statement announcing the decision, Durr said he was ending his campaign so Spadea could prevail. Soon after, Durr said his statement was not actually an endorsement. Steve Kush, a Durr spokesperson, explained the distinction and, in the process, reflected who the big dog is in the primary.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Jersey man, former state senator ends his bid for governor. Who he's backing.
Former New Jersey state Sen. Edward Durr is out of the Republican Party's gubernatorial primary race. The deadline was 4 p.m. Monday to file nominating petition signatures with the New Jersey Division of Elections to qualify for the June 10 ballot. Durr released a statement at 3:24 p.m. through campaign consultant Steve Kush to announce his decision. 'My supporters are the best!' Durr said. 'They worked down to the wire to ensure I have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, and I thank them for their love and support. "Unfortunately, the second part of the equation is money.' More: Has South Jersey made this blue state more of a purple? Governor race may test the notion. Durr, a Gloucester County man who represented the 3rd District for one term, acknowledged that he couldn't raise the money needed to qualify for matching public funding from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. The qualification threshold is $580,000. So far, Republican Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP gubernatorial candidate, and state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) have qualified, plus four Democratic candidates as well. More: Burlington County Democrats endorse South Jersey's Steve Sweeney for governor 'Without matching funds, we are out of the debates, making it difficult to get our message beyond those who already support this campaign,' Durr said. 'Additionally, this campaign has always been about making New Jersey affordable. "That is not going to happen without a conservative candidate who supports President Trump and the MAGA movement.' Durr added that he's supporting former radio host Bill Spadea for the GOP nomination as the best conservative, pro-MAGA candidate in the race. 'I will not make the mistakes that were made in the gubernatorial primary four years ago and split the MAGA conservative vote,' Durr said, also hinting that this isn't the end of his political involvement. 'Jon Bramnick openly admits he is not MAGA, and Jack Ciattarelli has always been a never-Trumper.' Other Republicans who have announced a bid for New Jersey governor in 2025 are: Roger Bacon, production mechanic. Monica Brinson, teacher. Jim Fazzone, former Burlington City mayor. Mario Kranjac, former Englewood Cliffs mayor. Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Edward Durr drops out of GOP primary race before filing deadline
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican Ed Durr drops out of the New Jersey's governor race
Ed Durr, the truck driver turned state senator, has ended his bid to become the next governor of New Jersey. Durr made national headlines when he defeated state Senate President Steve Sweeney back in 2021. Durr lost his reelection bid after serving on term. On Monday, Durr withdrew from the governor's race, leaving Bill Spadea and Jack Ciattarelli in the Republican primary field. Durr threw his support behind Spadea, the former New Jersey 101.5 radio host. Spadea took to social media to thank Durr for his endorsement. "Thank you @EdTheTruckerNJ for having the courage to run and then the strength to join us and unite MAGA Republicans across New Jersey. Your support and friendship matter," Spadea wrote. "Agree with you that Jack has always been a tax-raising, cop-dissing, illegal supporting, Never-Trumper. @realdonaldtrump deserves a true pro-Trump nominee and Governor in New Jersey. Let's go win this for ALL the people." This article originally appeared on Republican Ed Durr drops out of New Jersey's governor race
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MAGA truck driver who toppled powerful Democrat drops bid for New Jersey governor
Ed Durr, the truck driver who landed one of the largest political upsets in New Jersey history by beating the state's longest-serving Senate president, announced Monday that he will drop his bid for governor. He immediately endorsed conservative former radio host Bill Spadea, who is one of the leading Republican candidates. Durr said he was dropping out because his campaign was not able to meet the threshold to qualify for matching funds under the state's public financing programs. 'While there are two of us carrying the conservative message of the MAGA movement only one has the financial resources necessary to carry that message through to November,' Durr said in a statement. 'I am ending my campaign so Bill Spadea can use all his campaign resources to defeat the two never-Trumpers in this race and carry a conservative message to November.' Durr's departure sets up what is likely a two-man race between Spadea and former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli, both of whom are trying to court President Donald Trump's support. Over the weekend, Trump met with Ciattarelli and Spadea separately, according to social media posts and media reports — and the president's decision to weigh in is viewed as make-or-break in the GOP primary. Another GOP candidate, state Sen. Jon Bramnick who is a frequent Trump critic, is also running. A trucker from South Jersey, Durr catapulted to national attention after unexpectedly ousting then-Senate President Steve Sweeney in 2021. Beating Sweeney — who is now also a candidate for governor — briefly made Durr a political hero on the right: A MAGA trucker, on a shoestring budget, toppled one of the most powerful Democrats in New Jersey. It was a rise to power that seemed made for Hollywood. Last spring, Durr entered the governor's race on the theory that he could launch a similar upset to take over the governor's mansion — although it was ultimately not meant to be. On nearly all fronts, Durr ran a campaign lacking structure. He severely lagged in fundraising — there is still no filing from the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission showing how much he raised, if anything. Durr cited his dearth of funds as the primary reason for dropping out. 'We will not qualify for matching funds,' Durr said in his statement. 'Without matching funds we are out of the debates, making it difficult to get our message beyond those who already support this campaign.' He also struggled to find a lane. Spadea is courting the most conservative parts of the Republican party — who would appear to be among Durr's base of supporters. And while support for Trump has become the paramount focus in the GOP primary for governor, Durr — who is an ardent Trump supporter — said that his campaign was not Trump-centric and that he was focused on affordability. 'I think there needs to be more substance behind the candidates than just saying you're for Trump,' Durr told POLITICO earlier this year. Some of Durr's campaign promises would have been nearly impossible to fulfill, like eliminating the state's sales tax as well as property taxes for homeowners. But on the campaign trail — and as a state senator — he carried an Everyman appeal. He remained a full-time truck driver while running for governor, often doing interviews and social media videos while trucking. 'I think he talks like a real person,' Bramnick said in an interview. 'I actually like him — I don't agree with him on everything. But I like him.' After ousting Sweeney in the 2021 election, Durr became a minor celebrity among Republicans, doing the interview circuit on conservative media and even getting a phone call from Trump. Durr said he ran for office because he could not get a gun carry permit. But his fame fizzled out once he entered Trenton — as well as his perceived power. He proposed conservative measures like scaling back New Jersey's strict gun laws and abortion rights, although none of his bills became law. He also became something of a pariah among his fellow Republicans. After his upset victory, some of Durr's old online comments resurfaced that became politically damaging, such as 'A woman does have a choice! Keep her legs closed.' While Durr represented a district that Trump won, he was ousted in the 2023 election by South Jersey Democrats seeking to reclaim the Senate post in large part because of his old comments. It is unclear what comes next for Durr's political career. He is listed on the state's campaign finance database as being a 2027 candidate for state Senate, although that does not necessarily mean he will run. 'Forever he'll be the David that beat Goliath,' state Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco said in an interview. 'People will always remember Ed the truck driver.'
