Democrats Show Double Standard On Public Health: NJ Senator-Elect

LOGAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Edward Durr is not yet a member of the New Jersey State Senate, but the incoming state senator is already weighing in on events taking place in the state legislature, notably the controversial new COVID-19 vaccine policy.

Unvaccinated Republican members of the General Assembly were initially stopped from entering the Assembly chambers as the lame duck session began Thursday, but they did eventually make it into the chambers to vote. Read more here: NJ Republicans Dodge COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, Enter Statehouse

While not directly addressing the issue in a statement, Durr attacked Senate Democrats for what he says is a double standard when it comes to public health.

“Where was the DCCC when Phil Murphy issued orders that killed 10,000 nursing home residents? Where were our 10 Democrat members of Congress,” Durr said in a prepared statement. “Plain and simple, the DCCC and our 10 Democrat members of Congress didn’t care about ‘basic public safety measures’ when dangerous Phil Murphy’s COVID-19 orders were killing nursing home residents. They were all too busy whining about former President Donald Trump’s tweets.”

Durr specifically targeted Democratic leadership for criticism of State Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Morris/Somerset/Union) support of a legal challenge filed by Republicans to stop the policy, which bars anyone who cannot provide proof of full vaccination, or a negative PCR or rapid test within the last 72 hours, from entering the Statehouse.

“Over 28,000 New Jerseyans have tragically lost their lives from COVID and Tom Kean Jr’s opposition to basic public safety measures at the State House shows he will always put politics over doing what’s right,” DCCC Spokesman James Singer said.

“If the DCCC or any of our 10 Democrat members of Congress cared, they would have stepped up and prevented the deaths of 10,000 nursing home residents,” Durr said. “If they truly cared they would demand the state Senate President and the Assembly Speaker call for an investigation into the nursing home deaths caused by dangerous Phil Murphy.”

Durr’s argument echoes statements Republican Jack Ciattarelli made in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Gov. Phil Murphy in this year’s election. Arguing that more time was spent investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal when Chris Christie was governor, Ciattarelli said he would call for an immediate investigation into nursing home deaths if he were elected.

“There is still time for an investigation, with subpoena power, to be conducted during lame duck,” Durr said. “It is my hope the DCCC and our 10 Democrat members of Congress will join me in calling on the state Senate President and the Assembly Speaker to immediately launch an investigation, with subpoena power, into the 10,000 nursing home deaths caused by dangerous Phil Murphy’s orders. Let’s stop playing games and putting politics over doing what’s right and give New Jerseyans the answers they deserve.”

Durr will be sworn in to represent New Jersey’s Third Legislative District in January after upsetting longtime State Senate President Steve Sweeney in this year’s elections. Read more here: Senate President Sweeney Concedes Election Loss To Edward Durr

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