Sawyer launches primary bid to unseat Durr

Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer (R-Woolwich) filed today to seek the Republican nomination for State Senate in the 3rd district, challenging incumbent Ed Durr (R-Logan) in the Republican primary.

“The results of last year’s election demonstrated that candidates do matter.  Ed Durr has proven himself unsuitable for office and will not be re-elected,” said Sawyer.  “If we let him run in November, he will pull the entire Republican ticket down with him.  I have too much invested in this community to allow that to happen.”

Sawyer, who toppled two incumbents in the last election, said that she has the best chance of holding the seat against Democrat John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro), the ten-term incumbent she unseated two years ago.

“I am the only candidate who can defeat the Democrats,” she said.  “As your Senator, I will fight as hard for the people of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties as I did in the Assembly.”

Sawyer will run with one Assembly candidate, Joseph Collins, Jr., the nephew of former Assembly Speaker Jack Collins.  She is supporting her 2021 running mate, Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (R-Mannington), who will run on a line with Durr.  Hopewell Township Committeeman Thomas Tedesco is seeking Sawyer’s open Assembly seat on the Durr ticket.