Murphy, Ciattarelli Have Gotten $15M In Public Funds For Election

NEW JERSEY — State officials released more public campaign funding to Gov. Phil Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli on Friday, putting their combined totals at more than $15 million for the 2021 gubernatorial election so far.

And there's more where that came from.

Five candidates will be appearing on the ballot for the governor race on Nov. 2: Murphy (Democratic Party), Ciattarelli (Republican Party), Gregg Mele (Libertarian Party), Madelyn Hoffman (Green Party) and Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party).

Only two of those candidates, Murphy and Ciattarelli, qualified for the state’s Gubernatorial Public Financing program, which is restricted to those who raise $490,000 or more – the same threshold it takes to make the debates. Each candidate who reaches the quota receives two dollars in public matching funds for every one dollar raised from private sources.

• See related article: 'Big Money' Rules NJ Governor Debates, Third-Party Candidates Say

According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), $15.1 million has been distributed to Murphy and Ciattarelli in public matching funds as of Friday. With just over a month remaining until election day, it represents about 72 percent of the $21 million in public funds available this year.

Murphy has received $8.84 million, about 84 percent of his available funding; Ciattarelli has received $6.28 million, or about 60 percent.

Under New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing program, which began in 1974, general election candidates are eligible for up to $10.5 million in public funds. In exchange, other than a few exceptions, they must limit their total general election spending to $15.6 million.

Candidates who get public funds must also participate in two, ELEC-sanctioned debates leading up to the election. Their lieutenant governor running mates must take part in a third ELEC-approved debate.

• See related article: 4 Takeaways From The First Murphy, Ciattarelli Debate
• See related article: NJ Gov. Candidate Says $490K Debate Fundraising Quota Is A 'Travesty'
• See related article: NJ Governor Candidates: Why You Should Elect Me (In 500 Words)

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