05-02-2025
Why this South Jersey gubernatorial hopeful is walking away from 'Walk to Washington'
Republican gubernatorial candidate Edward Durr will sit out upcoming county party nominating conventions, saying 'establishment' leaders in most counties already know who they will support.
'That's what the political establishment does – they go into a backroom and decide who they are getting behind, who is getting the special interest money and who gets county party resources,' Durr said on Wednesday.
'Fortunately, without a county party line the establishment can be defeated. I will continue to take my campaign directly to the people, attending meet-and-greets and setting up my own where there are none.'
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Durr, 61, a Logan resident, said he also is skipping the "Walk to Washington," a New Jersey Chamber of Commerce-sponsored train excursion to Washington, D.C.
'I was invited on the train to Washington, I declined because I have no interest in riding a train filled with lobbyists and the political establishment for two hours,' Durr said. 'Besides, I don't know many working-class folks who have $700 to ride a train.'
Approximately 900 people from the business, government and nonprofit sectors are expected to journey on Thursday for a two-day networking event that includes speeches by New Jersey congressional representatives. It has been five years since the last 'Walk to Washington' was held.
Durr is a former state senator who represented the 3rd District for one term starting in 2022. Other GOP candidates for governor in 2025 are Bill Spadea, Jack Ciattarelli, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, Robert Canfield, former Burlington City Mayor Jim Fazzone and Justin Barbera.
The first candidate debate in the campaign was held Tuesday night at Rider University in Lawrence Township, Mercer County. Canfield and Barbera were not present.
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: GOP candidate Edward Durr slams party conventions, chamber D.C. event
