SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Early voting is underway in New Jersey and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. All of the state Senate and General Assembly seats are on the ballot this year. One of the most closely watched races is the Third Legislative District showdown in Gloucester and Salem Counties, which has been heated.
At the top of the ticket is the showdown between Republican incumbent state Sen. Ed Durr and Democratic former Assemblyman John Burzichelli. Durr shocked everyone when he defeated former state Senate President Steve Sweeney in 2021.
There has been no shortage of mud-slinging between the two campaigns through advertising, with the jabs being more personal than policy-related. Durr says opposition ads are fixated on his old social media posts about abortion, gender, religion and other issues because he says Burzichelli can’t run on his political record.
“I don’t think voters will be fooled by that,” said Durr. “I think they can see through the failed policies. That’s why they voted him out two years ago.”
Burzichelli, however, counters that Durr hasn’t had any meaningful legislation passed. “I would welcome the opportunity to have an issue-based debate with the person I’m running against, but he has no interest in that,” he said.
On the issues, Burzichelli says he will focus on affordable living and look to get things done for South Jersey, which he says has been on hiatus since he lost his assembly seat last year. “We’ve always had to fight for our fair share,” he said. “In these past two years, not only did we not get our fair share, we got nothing.”
Durr, meanwhile, says he’s fighting against Gov. Phil Murphy’s policies by protecting parental rights, gun rights and permanently lowering taxes. “This is another opportunity for people to come out and make their voices heard,” he said.
Durr is running with Assembly candidates Bethann McCarthy Patrick, an incumbent and Tom Tedesco, who is replacing Beth Sawyer after she lost the senate primary to Durr. On the other side of the aisle, Heather Simmons and Dave Bailey are the Democratic Assembly candidates.
So far, Democrats have built a lead with mail-in ballots. Republicans are awaiting the numbers on Election Day, with a very low turnout expected, around 25%.