Under New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission today authorized $2,466,523 for Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and $3,268,572 in matching funds for Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly).
For her gubernatorial campaign, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) has already been paid $1,435,481. On the Republican side, State Senator Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) has collected $2,260,391 and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Somerville) has gotten $4,118,054.
ELEC has authorized $13,549,021 in matching funds thus far. That surpasses the record of $11,100,000 set in 2021 when three candidates
By the end of 2024, nine candidates for governor—six Democrats and three Republicans—had raised a total of $15.6 million.
The deputy executive director of ELEC, Joe Donohue, stated that this is the second-highest number since 1981, when 21 primary candidates ran for the nomination. The first time public monies were made available for the New Jersey gubernatorial primary was that year.
Candidates can earn $2 for every $1 raised under the public financing method in New Jersey. The deductible not matched is $185,000, while the fundraising level is $580,000.
Primary candidates consent to a $8.7 million maximum on primary campaign spending and are eligible for up to $5.5 million in matching funds. To reach the $8.7 million mark, candidates for governor need to raise $3.2 million.
