Republican truck driver Edward Durr was David who defeated longtime Democrat New Jersey State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney as Goliath in the 3rd Legislative District.
Four years earlier, Sweeney was easily re-elected by an 18-point margin despite the teachers union spending over $4 million to defeat him. Republican underdog Durr spent less than $10,000 vs. Democrat Sweeney’s $1.06 million. Sweeney has served in the New Jersey State Senate as a member since 2002 and president of the Senate since January 2010.
This provided him with 19 years of name recognition, all the perks of holding public office along with endorsements and campaign contributions from all the pay-to-play special interest groups doing business in Trenton. It was old-fashion shoe leather going door-to-door evenings and weekends by Durr knocking on over 20,000 doors that overcame the tremendous odds against his winning.
Investing in some good walking shoes carried the day for Durr. This is a lesson all first-time underdog candidates could learn from.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
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