8 Governor Candidates In NJ Qualify For Public Funds: 2025 Election

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey officials have released a list of governor candidates who qualify for public financing and will be participating in mandatory debates – giving them a big boost heading into the June primary election.

According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), five Democrats have qualified: Ras Baraka, Steven Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill, and Steve Sweeney.

Election officials said three Republicans made the cut: Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli, and Bill Spadea.

Under the state’s program – which began in 1974 – candidates who raise $580,000 or more in campaign funding can qualify for public matching funds. Primary candidates are eligible for up to $5.5 million in public funding. In exchange, other than a few exceptions, they must limit their total primary spending to $8.7 million.

As of Thursday, a total of $25,821,242 has been disbursed to the qualifying candidates (no disbursements were listed for Bill Spadea):

The qualifying candidates are required to participate in two ELEC-sanctioned primary debates, which will be held between April 3 and May 30.

In addition to the above candidates, others who are running for governor in 2025 include:

• DEMOCRAT – Sean Spiller
• REPUBLICAN – Roger Bacon, Justin Barbera, Monica Brinson, Robert Canfield, Edward Durr, James Fazzone, Hans Herberg, Mario Kranjac
• THIRD-PARTY/INDEPENDENT – Stephen Zielinski (Green Party), Gerardo Cedrone (independent), Karen Zaletel (independent), Joanne Kuniansky (independent)

Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited and can’t run again in 2025. Over the past year, a large field of candidates have been jockeying for position to replace him.

Democratic and Republican candidates will face off for their party’s nomination in a primary election on June 10. The winners will advance to the general election on Nov. 4, which will also include any third-party or independent candidates.

Under current law, the Democratic and Republican parties are the only "recognized political parties" in New Jersey – which has drawn criticism from third-party candidates in the past. Read More: ‘Big Money’ Rules NJ Governor Debates, Third-Party Candidates Say

Learn more about voting in the Garden State here.

• See Related: 5 Takeaways From First GOP Debate For NJ Governor
• See Related: 3 Candidates Seek NJ Libertarian Nod As Governor Race Heats Up
• See Related: NJ Governor Candidates Speak On ‘Equity, Segregation’
• See Related: Ex-NJ Mayor's Gov Campaign Backed By Group With $35M, Report Says

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