Democrat Leader of N.J. Senate Formally Concedes Election Loss to Truck Driver

Steve Sweeney, the Democrat President of the New Jersey Senate, officially conceded defeat Wednesday to Republican truck driver Ed Durr.

“The results of Tuesday’s election are in. All votes have been fairly counted. And I, of course, accept the results,” Sweeney said at a news conference, according to The Hill. He continued, “I want to congratulate Mr. Durr and wish him the best of luck.”

Durr edged out Sweeney by a 51-48 margin, and several pundits have labeled his victory to be among the greatest electoral upsets of the 2021 cycle.

That isn’t without reason. The second-most powerful legislator in the Garden State, who was once viewed as a top candidate for its governorship, was toppled by a truck driver and political newcomer who spent a scant total of $2,300 on his campaign, filmed campaign ads on an iPhone, and reportedly joked that his longshot campaign would “shock the world” come Election Day.

According to Fox News, when asked “what happened” with regard to the race’s outcome, Sweeney replied “It was a red wave.”

Last week’s nationwide underperformance by Democrats saw Republicans making significant gains in state and local elections — in addition to Durr’s upset victory, New Jersey also saw former Republican assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli come within striking distance of unseating Gov. Phil Murphy, once thought to have been untouchable in his position as the comparatively popular governor of a deep-blue state.

Content syndicated from TheLibertyLoft.com with permission.