The gubernatorial and legislative campaign committees spent $13.3 million in 2017, and independent groups spent an additional $45.4 million.
“Party committees are now regularly out-gunned by independent groups during New Jersey’s statewide elections,” said Jeff Brindle, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
According to the ELEC analysis, the “Big Six” committees – the Democratic and Republican State Committees and the Senate and Assembly campaign committees for both parties – spent 142 times more than independent groups a decade ago. Now spending by independent groups accounts for 77% of the total spent on New Jersey campaigns.
“Traditional committees used by the two major parties to raise funds for New Jersey elections seem to be in relentless decline,” Brindle said. “Legislative reforms are needed to try to reverse this trend and create a more balanced electoral landscape.”
Democrats also significantly outraised their counterparts. The Democratic State Committee raised $6,224,045, compared to $2,272.417 for the GOP. In the Senate, Democrats raised $1,148,734 and Republicans brought in $878,275. In the Assembly, Democrat took in $1,150,315, with $569,565 for the Republicans.
