South Jersey man, former state senator ends his bid for governor. Who he's backing.
The deadline was 4 p.m. Monday to file nominating petition signatures with the New Jersey Division of Elections to qualify for the June 10 ballot. Durr released a statement at 3:24 p.m. through campaign consultant Steve Kush to announce his decision.
'My supporters are the best!' Durr said. 'They worked down to the wire to ensure I have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, and I thank them for their love and support.
"Unfortunately, the second part of the equation is money.'
More: Has South Jersey made this blue state more of a purple? Governor race may test the notion.
Durr, a Gloucester County man who represented the 3rd District for one term, acknowledged that he couldn't raise the money needed to qualify for matching public funding from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. The qualification threshold is $580,000.
So far, Republican Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP gubernatorial candidate, and state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) have qualified, plus four Democratic candidates as well.
More: Burlington County Democrats endorse South Jersey's Steve Sweeney for governor
'Without matching funds, we are out of the debates, making it difficult to get our message beyond those who already support this campaign,' Durr said. 'Additionally, this campaign has always been about making New Jersey affordable.
"That is not going to happen without a conservative candidate who supports President Trump and the MAGA movement.'
Durr added that he's supporting former radio host Bill Spadea for the GOP nomination as the best conservative, pro-MAGA candidate in the race.
'I will not make the mistakes that were made in the gubernatorial primary four years ago and split the MAGA conservative vote,' Durr said, also hinting that this isn't the end of his political involvement. 'Jon Bramnick openly admits he is not MAGA, and Jack Ciattarelli has always been a never-Trumper.'
Other Republicans who have announced a bid for New Jersey governor in 2025 are:
Roger Bacon, production mechanic.
Monica Brinson, teacher.
Jim Fazzone, former Burlington City mayor.
Mario Kranjac, former Englewood Cliffs mayor.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Edward Durr drops out of GOP primary race before filing deadline
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