Former Democratic New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney announced on Monday he is running for governor to replace the term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) in 2025.
Sweeney was ousted from office after Edward Durr, a little-known Republican truck driver who spent less than $200, defeated him in the 2021 off-year elections by fewer than 4 percentage points, an unforeseen loss that made national headlines.
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In his campaign announcement video, Sweeney pointed to his daughter, who was born with Down syndrome, as to why he got involved in office and continues to fight for New Jersey residents who have disabilities. His campaign announcement video also referenced his union ironworker background, his support for reproductive rights, his work on a “fair minimum wage,” and his support for marriage equality.
“I will always put New Jersey’s kids, working families, and seniors first. You know that’s who I’ll fight for because that’s who I’ve always fought for,” Sweeney said. “I am running for governor because New Jersey is worth fighting for.”
Today, I’m announcing my run for New Jersey governor.
I was a union ironworker for years and became a public servant after my daughter was born with Down Syndrome.
She was the spark, inspiring me to fight for a better NJ.
Watch my announcement video⬇️https://t.co/erPot2m90R
— Steve Sweeney (@SteveSweeney_NJ) December 11, 2023
Sweeney held his former New Jersey Senate seat for 20 years and served as the state Senate’s president for 12 years until Durr dethroned him, 51.8% to 48.2%.
“Sometimes, in life, we face setbacks. But New Jerseyans get up, we dust ourselves off, we get back to work because that’s who we are,” Sweeney said in a nod to the loss.
Besides Sweeney, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is the other declared Democrat in the race to replace Murphy. Sweeney and Fulop ran for governor and were the front-runners in 2017 but lost the primary race to Murphy, who had the necessary finances and party support.
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The two candidates are the likely front-runners in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race. However, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) could jump into the fray.
Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who lost to Murphy in 2021 and lost the Republican gubernatorial primary race in 2017, is also seeking another shot at the governor’s mansion.
