by Anthony Bellano at Patch News
One week after Election Day, State Senate President Steve Sweeney has conceded his defeat at the hands of Republican upstart Edward Durr. Speaking during a news conference in the statehouse in Trenton Wednesday afternoon, Sweeney said he would not seek a recount.
“All votes have been fairly counted, and I, of course, accept the results,” Sweeney said during a news conference in the statehouse in Trenton on Wednesday. “I congratulate Mr. Durr, and wish him the best of luck. The people of the third legislative district are the best in New Jersey. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent them in the state senate, and to serve as the president of the state senate. I’ve had the opportunity to work with extraordinary people, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for our legislative district, for South Jersey and for the state.”
He didn’t address the process for selecting a new state senate president during his nine-minute speech.
Later Wednesday, Durr reiterated his statement first made on Tuesday that his differences with Sweeney were political, not personal, and that his real target was Gov. Phil Murphy. Read more here: NJ Senator-Elect Durr Fires Back At Gov. Murphy Over Elections
“The voters have spoken. They don’t want a government ruled by a dangerous guy armed with a bunch of executive orders,” Durr said during a news conference following Sweeney’s announcement, according to The New Jersey Globe. “It angers people that Phil Murphy’s dangerous orders killed 10,000 residents in nursing homes. They don’t want Governor Murphy’s vision of making New Jersey the California of the east coast.”
Durr was also scheduled to meet with leaders…