Latest news with #NewJerseyElectionLawEnforcementCommission
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Jersey has given $37.5M in matching funds to governor hopefuls
Four of the candidates hoping to succeed a term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy have capped out their matching primary funds, receiving $5.5 million each. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for New Jersey Monitor) With less than a week left before the June 10 gubernatorial primaries, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission has disbursed nearly $37.5 million in public matching dollars to eight of the 11 candidates, the agency said Wednesday. Four of those hoping to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy — Democrats Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, plus Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli — have capped out their matching primary funds, receiving $5.5 million each. Democrats Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and ex-state Sen. Steve Sweeney and Republicans Sen. Jon Bramnick and former radio host Bill Spadea have not raised enough to receive the maximum amount of matching primary funds, according to the election law commission. Of those four, Sweeney has received the most public dollars, just under $5.3 million. Baraka's matching funds total $4.2 million. Bramnick, the only sitting legislator in the race, has received about $3.2 million from the program, while Spadea has gotten roughly $2.8 million. The gubernatorial public finance program offers candidates who meet fundraising and spending thresholds matching public dollars at a rate of 2-to-1 for every dollar candidates raise. In exchange, gubernatorial hopefuls agree to participate in debates hosted by the election law commission and observe spending limits. This year, candidates who participate in the program can spend no more than $8.7 million on primaries and up to $18.5 million for the general election. The amount of matching funds already disbursed this year exceeds all primary spending in 2017, New Jersey's last gubernatorial election with no incumbent seeking reelection. Then, all candidates across major and minor parties spent just under $34.5 million. Most of that spending came from Murphy, who did not participate in the public financing program during the 2017 primary and spent $22 million, including more than $16 million he loaned to his campaign. Murphy, who participated in the gubernatorial fund match in 2017's general election and through the entire 2021 cycle, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term. Three candidates did not qualify for matching funds. Teachers union president Sean Spiller was the only Democrat who did not raise and spend the $580,000 needed to qualify by the March 24 deadline. Spiller's candidacy is getting a major boost from an independent expenditure group with ties to his union that has spent $37.5 million so far urging voters to support Spiller in the primary. On the Republican side, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and contractor Justin Barbera did not qualify for matching funds. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
What to know about contentious New Jersey governor primaries
"Jack has what it takes to win. He has my complete and total endorsement," Trump said during a five-minute speech. "It's being watched all over the world because New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show." New Jersey is one of two states to host a high-stakes gubernatorial election this November that could go a long way to determining which party has the political momentum heading into the 2026 midterms. Trump's virtual appearance came on the eve of early voting in the state's primary elections and where the two-term president's own fortunes are very much reliant on sustained GOP wins at the ballot box. New Jersey is guaranteed to see a fresh face leading the state after this year: Democratic Gov. Philip Murphy is term limited. But while the East coast state typically tilts blue, the general outcome is far from settled. Both parties have crowded candidate fields heading into the primaries on June 10, though Republicans can claim to have a slightly clearer frontrunner in Ciattarelli. Spending this year in the Garden State has shattered previous primary election records. Between all 11 names on the ballot in 2025, candidates raised about $59 million and shelled out more than $43 million of that as of May 12, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Trump backing his former critic Trump first announced his support for Ciattarelli, a former New Jersey general assembly member and now three-time candidate for governor, via Truth Social. "Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!" Trump wrote in a post on May 12. "Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100%" Ciattarelli in 2015 labelled Trump a "charlatan," "out of step with the Party of Lincoln" and "not fit to be President of the United States." And in 2021, running his second campaign for governor, the former state legislator kept Trump at arms-length. Past statements appear to be old news, though, with Trump spending time before the primary lauding Ciattarelli's candidacy. Ciattarelli was the leading candidate among Republicans before receiving the president's support. His main opponent, former radio host Bill Spadea, has painted himself as a Trump loyalist. In a new ad, Spadea said he was "disappointed" by the president's endorsement decision. "Jack Ciattarelli did more than disagree with the president -- he disrespected him," Spadea said in the direct-to-camera commercial. "Me? I've been a supporter of President Trump since he came down the escalator. Other names on the GOP ballot are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera. Democrats to duke it out Among Democrats, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman representing a district in north New Jersey, has the edge. A former Navy pilot, Sherill is currently serving her fourth term in the U.S. House and has built a reputation as a moderate. She's locked down her own major endorsements, including from tennis icon Billie Jean King and Democratic political action committee EMILY's List. She faces five other candidates in a far-from-decided primary contest. Another Democratic member of Congress, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, is right behind Sherrill in polling, along with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller. Rounding out the field is former state Sen. President Steve Sweeney. Trump focuses on beating Democrats rather than GOP rivals Trump focused on contrasting Ciattarelli with Democrats rather than rival Republicans in the primary by saying he would fight to lower taxes and crack down on violent criminals. Trump said Ciattarelli, a former Somerset County commissioner and state assemblyman, would stand up to "crippling regulations, rampant corruption" and "radical teachers' unions." "I can't do any better than that, Jack," Trump said. "So get out there and win." Ciattarelli thanked Trump for the endorsement and said his first executive order would be to eliminate so-called "sanctuary cities" that limit cooperation with federal enforcement of immigration laws. "We'll work together to keep our country safe and, of course, New Jersey safe," Ciattarelli said. "I'm honored and I will not let you down." It's either party's game A poll by Emerson College and The Hill found Ciattarelli leading the Republican pack with 44% of voters' support, to Spadea's 18%. Sherrill was ahead among Democrats at 28%, with Fulop, Baraka and Gottheimer next at 11%. Regardless of who comes out on top June 10, the general race for governor is expected to be a competitive battle and possible bellwether for the country. New Jersey has a history of flipping between parties when picking their top state official. Former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, served two terms from 2010 to 2018. He was succeeded by current New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Murphy, now term-limited, faced Ciattarelli when running for reelection in 2021 and eked out a three-point win - much closer than his 15-point victory four years earlier. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. However, her six-point margin of victory was also a drop from Joe Biden's 16-point win in the Garden State in 2020 against then-President Trump.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump stumps for GOP's Jack Ciattarelli: What to know about New Jersey governor primaries
Trump stumps for GOP's Jack Ciattarelli: What to know about New Jersey governor primaries Show Caption Hide Caption New Jersey governor signs bill making book bans illegal Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act which will prevent arbitrary book banning in the state. President Donald Trump put his full weight behind New Jersey's leading Republican candidate for governor, telling voters in a June 2 telephone rally saying he 'is the most experienced and battle-tested' to win despite the Garden State businessman's past criticisms of Trump. Trump, who noted he often stays in Bedminster, supported Jack Ciattarelli for his pledges to cap property taxes at 1% and to fight illegal immigration. Trump encouraged voters to head to the polls for the first day of early voting June 3, ahead of election day June 10. 'Jack has what it takes to win. He has my complete and total endorsement,' Trump said during a five-minute speech. 'It's being watched all over the world because New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show.' New Jersey is one of two states to host a high-stakes gubernatorial election this November that could go a long way to determining which party has the political momentum heading into the 2026 midterms. Trump's virtual appearance came on the eve of early voting in the state's primary elections and where the two-term president's own fortunes are very much reliant on sustained GOP wins at the ballot box. New Jersey is guaranteed to see a fresh face leading the state after this year: Democratic Gov. Philip Murphy is term limited. But while the East coast state typically tilts blue, the general outcome is far from settled. Both parties have crowded candidate fields heading into the primaries on June 10, though Republicans can claim to have a slightly clearer frontrunner in Ciattarelli. Spending this year in the Garden State has shattered previous primary election records. Between all 11 names on the ballot in 2025, candidates raised about $59 million and shelled out more than $43 million of that as of May 12, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Trump backing his former critic Trump first announced his support for Ciattarelli, a former New Jersey general assembly member and now three-time candidate for governor, via Truth Social. 'Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!' Trump wrote in a post on May 12. 'Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100%' Ciattarelli in 2015 labelled Trump a 'charlatan,' 'out of step with the Party of Lincoln' and 'not fit to be President of the United States.' And in 2021, running his second campaign for governor, the former state legislator kept Trump at arms-length. Past statements appear to be old news, though, with Trump spending time before the primary lauding Ciattarelli's candidacy. Ciattarelli was the leading candidate among Republicans before receiving the president's support. His main opponent, former radio host Bill Spadea, has painted himself as a Trump loyalist. In a new ad, Spadea said he was 'disappointed' by the president's endorsement decision. 'Jack Ciattarelli did more than disagree with the president — he disrespected him,' Spadea said in the direct-to-camera commercial. 'Me? I've been a supporter of President Trump since he came down the escalator. Other names on the GOP ballot are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera. Democrats to duke it out Among Democrats, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman representing a district in north New Jersey, has the edge. A former Navy pilot, Sherill is currently serving her fourth term in the U.S. House and has built a reputation as a moderate. She's locked down her own major endorsements, including from tennis icon Billie Jean King and Democratic political action committee EMILY's List. She faces five other candidates in a far-from-decided primary contest. Another Democratic member of Congress, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, is right behind Sherrill in polling, along with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller. Rounding out the field is former state Sen. President Steve Sweeney. Trump focuses on beating Democrats rather than GOP rivals Trump focused on contrasting Ciattarelli with Democrats rather than rival Republicans in the primary by saying he would fight to lower taxes and crack down on violent criminals. Trump said Ciattarelli, a former Somerset County commissioner and state assemblyman, would stand up to 'crippling regulations, rampant corruption' and 'radical teachers' unions.' 'I can't do any better than that, Jack,' Trump said. 'So get out there and win.' Ciattarelli thanked Trump for the endorsement and said his first executive order would be to eliminate so-called 'sanctuary cities' that limit cooperation with federal enforcement of immigration laws. 'We'll work together to keep our country safe and, of course, New Jersey safe,' Ciattarelli said. 'I'm honored and I will not let you down.' It's either party's game A poll by Emerson College and The Hill found Ciattarelli leading the Republican pack with 44% of voters' support, to Spadea's 18%. Sherrill was ahead among Democrats at 28%, with Fulop, Baraka and Gottheimer next at 11%. Regardless of who comes out on top June 10, the general race for governor is expected to be a competitive battle and possible bellwether for the country. New Jersey has a history of flipping between parties when picking their top state official. Former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, served two terms from 2010 to 2018. He was succeeded by current New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Murphy, now term-limited, faced Ciattarelli when running for reelection in 2021 and eked out a three-point win – much closer than his 15-point victory four years earlier. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. However, her six-point margin of victory was also a drop from Joe Biden's 16-point win in the Garden State in 2020 against then-President Trump.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump stumps for GOP's Jack Ciattarelli: What to know about New Jersey governor primaries
President Donald Trump put his full weight behind New Jersey's leading Republican candidate for governor, telling voters in a June 2 telephone rally saying he 'is the most experienced and battle-tested' to win despite the Garden State businessman's past criticisms of Trump. Trump, who noted he often stays in Bedminster, supported Jack Ciattarelli for his pledges to cap property taxes at 1% and to fight illegal immigration. Trump encouraged voters to head to the polls for the first day of early voting June 3, ahead of election day June 10. 'Jack has what it takes to win. He has my complete and total endorsement,' Trump said during a five-minute speech. 'It's being watched all over the world because New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show.' New Jersey is one of two states to host a high-stakes gubernatorial election this November that could go a long way to determining which party has the political momentum heading into the 2026 midterms. Trump's virtual appearance came on the eve of early voting in the state's primary elections and where the two-term president's own fortunes are very much reliant on sustained GOP wins at the ballot box. New Jersey is guaranteed to see a fresh face leading the state after this year: Democratic Gov. Philip Murphy is term limited. But while the East coast state typically tilts blue, the general outcome is far from settled. Both parties have crowded candidate fields heading into the primaries on June 10, though Republicans can claim to have a slightly clearer frontrunner in Ciattarelli. Spending this year in the Garden State has shattered previous primary election records. Between all 11 names on the ballot in 2025, candidates raised about $59 million and shelled out more than $43 million of that as of May 12, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Trump first announced his support for Ciattarelli, a former New Jersey general assembly member and now three-time candidate for governor, via Truth Social. 'Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!' Trump wrote in a post on May 12. 'Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100%' Ciattarelli in 2015 labelled Trump a 'charlatan,' 'out of step with the Party of Lincoln' and 'not fit to be President of the United States.' And in 2021, running his second campaign for governor, the former state legislator kept Trump at arms-length. Past statements appear to be old news, though, with Trump spending time before the primary lauding Ciattarelli's candidacy. Ciattarelli was the leading candidate among Republicans before receiving the president's support. His main opponent, former radio host Bill Spadea, has painted himself as a Trump loyalist. In a new ad, Spadea said he was 'disappointed' by the president's endorsement decision. 'Jack Ciattarelli did more than disagree with the president — he disrespected him,' Spadea said in the direct-to-camera commercial. 'Me? I've been a supporter of President Trump since he came down the escalator. Other names on the GOP ballot are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera. Among Democrats, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman representing a district in north New Jersey, has the edge. A former Navy pilot, Sherill is currently serving her fourth term in the U.S. House and has built a reputation as a moderate. She's locked down her own major endorsements, including from tennis icon Billie Jean King and Democratic political action committee EMILY's List. She faces five other candidates in a far-from-decided primary contest. Another Democratic member of Congress, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, is right behind Sherrill in polling, along with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller. Rounding out the field is former state Sen. President Steve Sweeney. Trump focused on contrasting Ciattarelli with Democrats rather than rival Republicans in the primary by saying he would fight to lower taxes and crack down on violent criminals. Trump said Ciattarelli, a former Somerset County commissioner and state assemblyman, would stand up to 'crippling regulations, rampant corruption' and 'radical teachers' unions.' 'I can't do any better than that, Jack,' Trump said. 'So get out there and win.' Ciattarelli thanked Trump for the endorsement and said his first executive order would be to eliminate so-called 'sanctuary cities' that limit cooperation with federal enforcement of immigration laws. 'We'll work together to keep our country safe and, of course, New Jersey safe,' Ciattarelli said. 'I'm honored and I will not let you down.' A poll by Emerson College and The Hill found Ciattarelli leading the Republican pack with 44% of voters' support, to Spadea's 18%. Sherrill was ahead among Democrats at 28%, with Fulop, Baraka and Gottheimer next at 11%. Regardless of who comes out on top June 10, the general race for governor is expected to be a competitive battle and possible bellwether for the country. New Jersey has a history of flipping between parties when picking their top state official. Former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, served two terms from 2010 to 2018. He was succeeded by current New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Murphy, now term-limited, faced Ciattarelli when running for reelection in 2021 and eked out a three-point win – much closer than his 15-point victory four years earlier. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. However, her six-point margin of victory was also a drop from Joe Biden's 16-point win in the Garden State in 2020 against then-President Trump. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about contentious New Jersey governor primaries
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donor interest swells in New Jersey governor's race
The number of contributions to gubernatorial candidates in the state's public financing program has nearly quadrupled since 2021. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for New Jersey Monitor) Donor interest in New Jersey's gubernatorial election catapulted upward along with the number of candidates, state election law officials said Tuesday. Aurea Vazquez-Alexander, compliance director for the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, said during a commission meeting that the number of contributions to gubernatorial candidates participating in the state's public financing program increased by 374% compared to 2021, the last time New Jersey held a governor's race. 'There has been a significant increase in contribution volume and review complexity from 2021 versus 2025,' she said. One of the commission's tasks is to review donations to gubernatorial candidates to make sure they comply with public financing rules. The spike in donations means the eight candidates receiving public financing this year have submitted more than 38,000 contributions for the commission's review, up from just over 7,900 four years ago. Vazquez-Alexander added that the steep rise in contributions was not solely the result of a larger candidate pool. 'In 2021, the highest contribution count for any single candidate was 5,968 contributions. In 2025, a single candidate received over 13,000 contributions — more than the entire 2021 total,' she said without naming the candidate. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, cannot seek reelection in the fall. Among the six Democrats vying in the June 10 primary to succeed him, Rep. Mikie Sherrill has received the most in matching funds, $5.1 million through April 3. In the five-man Republican primary, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is the first candidate to max out his $5.5 million in primary matching funds. Candidates are due to disclose their fundraising for the first quarter of 2025 by April 15. Five Democrats — Sherrill, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, and former state Sen. Steve Sweeney — have qualified for matching funds. Three Republicans — Ciattarelli, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, and former radio host Bill Spadea — are receiving matching public dollars. In all, 11 gubernatorial candidates will be on the June 10 primary ballot. Sean Spiller, a Democrat and president of statewide teachers union the New Jersey Education Association, and Republicans Justin Barbera and Mario Kranjac did not qualify for matching funds by the March 24 deadline. Candidates must raise and spend $580,000 to be eligible for matching funds from the state. The number of candidates running for governor this year is far from record-setting, said Joe Donohue, the commission's deputy director. Donohue noted 22 candidates ran for the governorship in 1981, the first year New Jersey candidates for governor could receive matching funds. Sixteen candidates received public financing that year. Still, it's been 35 years since eight candidates received public financing, he said. 'In terms of the year with a lot of candidates, it's in the top five, definitely' Donohue said of 2025. The public financing program offers candidates who meet fundraising and spending thresholds a 2-to-1 match in exchange for an agreement to observe spending and fundraising caps set by the commission. This year, they must agree to spend no more than $8.7 million on the primary, or $18.5 million in the general election. As of April 3, the program has dispensed more than $29.6 million. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
