The truck driver who dethroned Democratic New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney has apologized after old posts with anti-Muslim content resurfaced.
Edward Durr, a Republican, issued a statement that said he let his emotions get the better of him, according to the New Jersey Globe.
“I’m a passionate guy and I sometimes say things in the heat of the moment,” Durr said in his statement. “If I said things in the past that hurt anybody’s feelings, I sincerely apologize.”
Durr appears to have deleted his Twitter account and his political Facebook account, but a personal Facebook account is still active.
TIKTOK INFLUENCER PRETENDS TO RUN IN LOCAL NEW JERSEY ELECTION
The race between Durr and Sweeney was called at 11:19 a.m. on Nov. 4 by the Associated Press. Durr led by 32,742 votes, or 51.8%, while Sweeney trailed with 30,444, or 48.2%.
Among Durr’s posts on Twitter over the past couple of years that drew scrutiny was one in which he assailed Islam.
“Mohammed was a pedophile! Islam is a false religion! Only fools follow Muslim teachings! It is a cult of hate!” Durr said, according to the outlet.
In a Facebook post, he shared an image with text that took a jab at Vice President Kamala Harris before the inauguration, claiming she got where she is “based on race & gender.”
Durr also compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and defended rioters at the U.S. Capitol, according to the Associated Press.
“I support everybody’s right to worship in any manner they choose and to worship the God of their choice,” Durr added in his statement. “I support all people and I support everybody’s rights. That’s what I’m here to do, work for the people and support their rights.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Sweeney has not yet conceded defeat, but Democrats in the state Senate have reached an agreement that Nicholas Scutari will be the next New Jersey Senate president, according to the New Jersey Globe.
New Jersey’s gubernatorial election was closer than experts had anticipated, with incumbent Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy being declared the winner by a slim margin against Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli on Wednesday.
Ciattarelli so far has refused to concede.
“No one should be declaring victory or conceding the election until every legal vote is counted,” he said in a video Thursday.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Durr for a statement but did not immediately receive a response back.
