Ed Durr, the Republican truck driver who stunned the political world in 2021 by unseating New Jersey’s most powerful Democratic lawmaker, has ended his campaign for governor.
Durr announced Monday that he would no longer seek the GOP nomination ahead of the state’s June primary, citing an inability to raise enough money to qualify for matching funds and gain entry into the upcoming debates.
“I am not going away,” Durr said in a statement. “I will continue to fight for our conservative values, and there are other races on the horizon.”
Durr, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, threw his endorsement behind Bill Spadea, a conservative radio host who is also vying for Trump’s backing. The move aligns Durr with one of the more right-wing candidates in a Republican primary that has drawn multiple contenders.
Among the remaining GOP candidates are State Sen. Jon Bramnick, a vocal Trump skeptic, and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who was critical of Trump in the past but has since offered support.
Democratic Governor Phil Murphy is term-limited and cannot seek a third term, setting up a competitive election in a state that has favored Democrats in presidential and congressional races but has a history of electing Republican governors in off-year elections.
On the Democratic side, six candidates are competing for their party’s nomination. Despite a nearly one-million-voter registration advantage for Democrats, Republicans have been historically competitive in New Jersey’s gubernatorial races, most recently with Chris Christie’s victories in 2009 and 2013.
Durr’s surprise victory in 2021, when he ousted then-Senate President Steve Sweeney despite spending only a few thousand dollars on his campaign, propelled him to Republican stardom. However, his bid for governor never gained the same momentum, and his exit from the race narrows the GOP field as candidates look to consolidate support ahead of the primary.