Though GOP still trails in total money raised, their funds have increased over 4 years, while the Democrats' have dropped
Clik here to view.
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie in this October 2010 file photo.TRENTON — For years, Democrats have ruled the fundraising roost in New Jersey. Now, with Republican Gov. Chris Christie helping out his party, that’s beginning to change.
Figures released Thursday by the Election Law Enforcement Commission show state Republicans trailing Democrats slightly in money raised by their "big six" fundraising committees. But the trend appears to be on the GOP’s side, with all 120 seats in the Legislature up next year.
In all, the Democratic State Committee and the leadership political action committees of the Senate and Assembly Democrats raised $3.2 million last year, while their Republican counterparts raised $2.9 million. But since 2006 — the last year preceding an election in which all 120 legislative seats were at the top of the ticket — the Republicans’ fundraising has increased, while the Democrats’ has decreased. And Republicans have more cash on hand than Democrats.
Republicans plan to ramp up their fundraising even more. This month, they elected Saddle River Mayor Sam Raia, a well-known fundraiser, as their chairman, replacing Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris). And the Republican State Committee plans to commemorate Christie’s one-year anniversary in office with an Asbury Park fundraiser where donors can pay $10,000 for a seat at a roundtable discussion with the governor.
Overall fundraising among the "big six" committees is down by $1 million from four years ago. ELEC Executive Director Jeffrey Brindle attributed that partly to the recession and state pay-to-play laws.
"Many contractors simply have stopped making political donations in New Jersey. Others can make only small donations," he said.
Previous coverage:
