The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission today approved $3,268,572 in matching funds to Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) and $2,466,523 to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop under New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) has already received $1,435,481 for her gubernatorial bid. On the Republican side, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Somerville) has received $4,118,054 and State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) has drawn $2,260,391.
So far, ELEC has approved $13,549,021 in matching funds. That breaks the $11,100,000 record from 2021 when three candidates reach
Nine gubernatorial candidates—six Democrats and three Republicans—raised a combined $15.6 million as of the end of 2024.
“This is the second largest number since 1981, when 21 primary contestants sought the nomination,’’ said Joe Donohue, ELEC’s deputy executive director. “That year was the first when public funds were available for New Jersey gubernatorial primaries.”
Under New Jersey’s public financing plan, candidates are eligible to receive $2 for every $1 raised. The fundraising threshold is $580,000, and the deductible not matched is $185,000.
Candidates in the primary may qualify for up to $5.5 million in matching funds and agree to an $8.7 million cap on primary campaign expenditures. Gubernatorial contenders must raise $3.2 million to hit the $8.7 million number.
