New Jersey Isn’t As Blue As You Think It Is

By Mayor Mario M. Kranjac

No one could have predicted Edward Durr, a Republican truck driver, would unseat the long-time Democrat New Jersey State Senate president in a story book victory that shocked the nation.  

Truth is: it isn’t all that shocking. You see, New Jersey simply isn’t as blue as you might believe. Up and down the ballot, Republicans saw massive gains including in the Governor’s race where Jack Ciattarelli came incredibly close to overcoming New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. 

In fact, the Republican gains are so big, Democrats are in disbelief-- but Republicans did gain ground, and there’s a good reason for that.

There’s a familiar saying from Historian Robert Conquest that says voters are most conservative on the issues that are closest to them.

In my community of Englewood Cliffs, Democrat mayors served for 42 years before I was elected into office in 2016. Many were stunned by my victory in what is considered a “deep blue” town, but I focused my campaign on hyperlocal issues: stopping political corruption and going toe-to-toe with corrupt affordable housing mandates. 

In New Jersey, when Republicans speak to local issues, they win. 

Governor Murphy made a big mistake by siding with progressive policies that were decisively anti-parent, anti-children and anti-taxpayer. He supported critical race theory where children are required to learn that minorities are constantly oppressed and white people are always the oppressors. Parents do not want to co-parent with the Government. 

Even though Jack didn’t win this election, his decision to support parental involvement in their child’s education led voters to contribute to a remarkable turnout nearly ousting Governor Murphy. 

Ahead of the election, political pundits were nearly certain Governor Murphy would win in a landslide due to New Jersey’s political makeup, but New Jersey’s just not that blue. 

Durr’s victory, likewise, is sending shockwaves through the system, but that’s because Democrats underestimated New Jersey voters. While the state leans Democratic, voters are much more astute than they are given credit for. 

Take Sweeney’s defeat by Durr. Sweeney was a 12 year incumbent, a top officer of the international Ironworkers union, and even considered a possible future candidate for Governor. With this kind of notoriety and base, not to mention the power of his office in the Senate, the Democrat political establishment believed him to be a shoe-in.

Why did he lose to someone who spent $156 on his primary campaign and filmed his election video on a smartphone from his truck? Because voters in supposedly blue state New Jersey had had enough of Democrats failing to deliver on issues they care about at the local level. 

Like Governor Murphy, Sweeney failed to maintain the trust of New Jersey’s people, instead endorsing unaffordable tax rates, and supporting mask and vaccine mandates for school children. 

Despite Durr’s victory, Democrats will continue to cast their illusion that they hold the power in New Jersey. But when voters look behind the curtain, they will realize they’ve held the power this whole time. The silenced majority will have the last word.

Mario M. Kranjac is the Mayor of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. He is the son of immigrants, a venture capitalist, corporate attorney, husband and father.