Edward Durr

Before running for State Senate in 2021, Durr ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly in 2017 and 2019.[4]

Durr ran for New Jersey State Senate as a Republican in 2021. He challenged incumbent Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney in New Jersey's 3rd Legislative District.[4] At the time, Sweeney was the longest-serving Senate president in the history of New Jersey.[5] Durr stated that being denied a concealed carry permit despite having a clean record motivated him to run for State Senate.[2] While it was reported that Durr spent only $153 dollars on his campaign, that was the amount he spent in the Republican primary, not the general election.[6] Over the course of his general campaign, Durr spent approximately $2,300[7] while Sweeney spent approximately $305,000.[8] Durr's campaign video was taken using a cellular phone.[9]

In a massive political upset, Durr defeated Sweeney on Election Day.[6] Durr's defeat of Sweeney made headlines in The New York Times,[10] The Washington Post,[11] and USA Today.[6] 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".[10] 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.[7] Durr was likely helped by the performance of Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, who carried the district by over 15 points.[12]

Following his victory, past social media posts made by Durr created controversy. The posts related to topics such as vaccine mandates, the January 6 Capitol attack, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Islam.[13] 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".[13]

In 2019, Durr tweeted that "Islam is a false religion" and added that "Mohammed was a pedophile!" Muslim advocacy groups called on him to repudiate the tweet.[14] Durr proceeded to meet with local Muslim leaders and went on to reject Islamophobia.[15]