Republican Jack Ciattarelli became the first candidate to announce raising the threshold to qualify for matching funds under New Jersey’s gubernatorial public financing program, raising over $580,000 since winning the GOP primary on June 10.
“Our momentum continues to grow after Jack’s overwhelming primary victory, just nine days ago, with new donations large and small pouring in from every corner of New Jersey. Jack’s hard work and positive common-sense message has generated real energy with voters all across our state,” said Jeff Vanderbeek, Ciattarelli’s campaign finance chairman. “New Jersey clearly recognizes that Jack is the candidate who can deliver the type of serious, bold, and permanent change that we so desperately need. It really is time, and this campaign isn’t slowing down.”
Ciattarelli faces Democrat Mikie Sherrill and three independent candidates in the November general election.
In the general election, candidates may receive up to $12.5 million in pubic funds on a $2-for-$1 match; candidates must adhere to an $18.5 million spending cap, not including super PACs and independent expenditures. The contribution limit is $5,800.
The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission distributed over $37.5 million in matching funds in the primary election, a record-setting amount. Ciattarelli was the first candidate to qualify for the full match of $5.5 million.
In 2021, the threshold to qualify for matching funds was $490,000 with a contribution limit of $4,900; the first $156,000 isn’t matched. Candidates who accepted public financing agreed to a $7.3 million expenditure limit.
In that election, Ciattarelli launched his campaign in January 2020. He raised nearly $1.1 million that year, qualifying him for matching funds and receiving. He had unofficially qualified for the match by the end of September after bringing in almost $820,000 in the first nine months of his candidacy.
