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For practically a decade, Stephen M. Sweeney, the second strongest lawmaker in New Jersey, appeared really unassailable. He boasted deep ties to essentially the most feared political energy dealer within the state and unyielding help from the influential constructing commerce unions. 4 years in the past, the state’s academics union spent more than $5 million to unseat him. He gained by 18 factors.
This 12 months, his challenger was Edward Durr, a truck driver for Raymour & Flanagan, a furnishings chain, who had by no means earlier than held workplace. His marketing campaign video was shot on a smartphone.
But Mr. Sweeney, the State Senate president and a Democrat, was ousted in a surprising political upset by Mr. Durr, a Republican, as voters opted for a political unknown in a end result that instantly rattled the political moorings of the state, which practically noticed the ouster of Gov. Philip D. Murphy; the governor narrowly won re-election over his Republican challenger, Jack Ciattarelli.
However it was Mr. Sweeney’s loss that was maybe most emblematic of the predicament dealing with Democrats in suburban and exurban communities.
The Related Press referred to as the race on Thursday morning, as Mr. Durr maintained a 2,298-vote lead over Mr. Sweeney with all precincts counted.
Although Mr. Sweeney’s district within the southwestern a part of the state has by no means been deeply blue just like the northeastern counties, it has reliably elected a Democrat since its creation in 1973, save for one 12 months when the Democratic incumbent switched events.
Largely composed of blue-collar suburbs and elements of the town of Camden, Mr. Sweeney held a vise grip on the district via highly effective allies and a decidedly reasonable document, taking part in to his background as an ironworker and union chief.
However as help for Democrats evaporated within the suburbs and exurbs in each New Jersey and Virginia, Mr. Sweeney discovered himself with out the working-class backing he had so usually relied on; being a Democratic lawmaker throughout an period of coronavirus lockdowns, mandates in colleges and dysfunction in Washington was sufficient to erode what was as soon as unshakable help.
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