NJ Candidates Raise $37M, Spend $18M Ahead Of 2023 Elections, Commission Says

NEW JERSEY — Ahead of this November's election, New Jersey legislative candidates have raised more money this year than in any of the past 15 years, according to campaign finance reports filed with the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission.

The race in one district is likely to be one of the most expensive legislative races ever, the commission (ELEC) added. All 120 of New Jersey's legislative seats are up for election this year. Democrats hold a 25 to 15 majority in the state Senate, and a 46 to 34 majority in the state Assembly.

Numbers released on Oct. 18 show that legislative candidates have raised $37.6 million between June 24 and October 6, 2023. That sum is second only to spending in 2007, which would be $41.4 million if adjusted for inflation, according to ELEC.

Candidates have also spent $18,798,534 ahead of the Nov. 7 election, when voters in each of the state's legislative districts will go to the polls. That means they were still sitting on $18,765,384 as of Oct. 6 (29 days before the election, when reports were due).

A law that Gov. Phil Murphy signed in April overhauled the state's campaign finance system, and increased political donation limits for candidates, as well as for county and state party organizations. ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle said this was one of the reasons spending is relatively high this year, in a news release last week.

“In addition, the political stakes are big," Brindle said. "Republicans gained seats in the past two legislative elections and are looking to add more. At the same time, Democrats are fighting to maintain majorities they have held since 2002."

Democratic candidates, who are trying to keep their control of the Senate and Assembly, raised about $18 million more in fundraising than Republicans, the ELEC report said.

Political spending in District 11 (Monmouth County) is likely to land among the top ten most expensive legislative races ever, the commission said. Candidates and independent groups have spent about $4.88 million here over the campaign, with another $941,276 on hand.

In NJ-11, Democrat Vin Gopal serves in the Senate, and Republicans Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno hold the Assembly seats after winning against Democratic incumbents in 2021.