New Jersey governor’s race: Ciattarelli and Sherrill secure $1 million each in latest public funding round

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission has approved more than $2.1 million in public matching funds for the state’s two major-party nominees in the 2025 gubernatorial race, the latest infusion in a contest expected to be one of the most expensive in the state’s history.

The commission, known as ELEC, on Monday authorized $1,088,374 for former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and $1,075,525 for Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. The awards bring each candidate’s total public financing for the general election to just over $4 million.

The combined $2.16 million allocation marks the third round of disbursements from New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program for the general election. So far, the program has distributed $8.05 million to the two candidates. Each candidate has been allotted about 32 percent of the campaign’s maximum $12.5 million in public funds available for the race.

Established in 1974, the program provides matching funds to candidates who raise at least $580,000 in qualifying contributions. Participants agree to cap their overall general election spending at $18.5 million, except for certain allowable expenses. The aim, state officials say, is to reduce the influence of large private donors while enabling competitive campaigns.

This year’s contribution limit is $5,800 per donor. The state does not match the first $185,000 raised by each campaign, and only contributions from individuals are eligible for matching.

The deadline for general election candidates to qualify for the program is Sept. 2. Campaigns may continue submitting requests for matching funds until April 7, 2026, to cover expenses incurred through election day.

Ciattarelli, of Somerset County, is making his third bid for the governor’s office. He lost to Democratic Gov. Philip Murphy by just over three percentage points in 2021, the narrowest margin in a New Jersey gubernatorial race in more than a decade. Ciattarelli previously served in the State Assembly and ran unsuccessfully in the 2017 Republican primary.

Sherrill, who represents parts of northern New Jersey in Congress, is making her first run for statewide office. A former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, she has served in the U.S. House since 2019. She secured the Democratic nomination in June after defeating several primary challengers.

The latest disbursement comes as the general election campaign accelerates following the summer primary season. Polls have shown the race tightening, with both candidates focusing on property taxes, energy costs, and the state’s economy.

New Jersey was the first state in the nation to provide public funds to candidates for governor. The Gubernatorial Public Financing Program was enacted in 1974 as an amendment to the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act. It has provided public matching funds to qualifying general election candidates starting with the 1977 election. In 1980, the program was extended to gubernatorial primary elections.

According to ELEC records, the state has provided more than $166 million in public funds to gubernatorial candidates since the program’s inception, which amounts to $5.73 per vote cast in those elections.. Participation has varied, with some well-financed candidates opting out in years when self-funding or large-scale private donations proved more attractive.

Supporters of the program contend that it levels the playing field, particularly for challengers who may not have access to deep-pocketed donors. Critics argue that the limits can hinder candidates facing heavy spending from independent groups.

While outside political action committees can spend unlimited sums independently, the public financing cap restrains the campaigns themselves.

The next scheduled round of disbursements is in early September. Campaign finance observers say the pace of spending will likely increase sharply in the fall, when television and digital advertising typically dominate the airwaves.