TRENTON — With Gov. Chris Christie on their side, state Republicans are catching up in fundraising after years of Democratic dominance. Democrats raised and spent slightly more money than Republicans last year in “big six” committees – the parties’ legislative leadership political action committees and their state party coffers. But the Republicans’ committees had a larger net worth, which is...
TRENTON — With Gov. Chris Christie on their side, state Republicans are catching up in fundraising after years of Democratic dominance.
Democrats raised and spent slightly more money than Republicans last year in “big six” committees – the parties’ legislative leadership political action committees and their state party coffers. But the Republicans’ committees had a larger net worth, which is their cash on hand minus debt.
With all 120 legislative seats up for election last year, the state Republican party and two legislative leadership committees have a net worth of $960,000. The three Democratic committees have a net worth of $345,000.
In all, the committees from both parties last year raised $6.2 million and spent $5.9 million.
Since 2006, the last year that preceded an election where all 120 legislative seats were at the top of the ticket, the Republicans’ fundraising has increased while the Democrats’ has decreased.
But overall, total fundraising among the committees has decreased by more than $1 million since then, in part because of the state’s “pay to play” restrictions, said Election Law Enforcement Commission Executive Director Jeffrey Brindle.
“Many contractors simply have stopped making political donations in New Jersey. Others can make only small donations. These factors are making it harder for all candidates and fundraising committees to raise money,’’ he said. The recession also could have been a factor, he said.