New Jersey ELEC approves $2.6 Million match for governor candidates
The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission has approved more than $2.6 million in public matching funds for the two major-party nominees in this year’s gubernatorial contest, pushing the total distributed so far to nearly $13.8 million.
The payments, authorized under the state’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program, went to Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, the only candidates to qualify for public funding ahead of the Sept. 2 deadline. Sherrill received $1.6 million in the latest round, bringing her cumulative total to just over $7 million. Ciattarelli was awarded $1 million, raising his overall share to about $6.8 million.
The program, established in 1974, is intended to curb the influence of large private donations by providing public dollars to candidates who demonstrate broad fundraising support. To qualify, campaigns must raise at least $580,000. General-election contenders may receive up to $12.5 million in public funds but are required to abide by a spending cap of $18.5 million, aside from a few exceptions.
Together, Sherrill and Ciattarelli have already claimed more than half of the public money available for the November election. According to ELEC, the Democrat has secured about 56 percent of her potential maximum, while the Republican has drawn 54 percent.
Candidates may continue to submit requests for matching funds through April 2026, even after voters head to the polls.
The program does not match the first $185,000 raised by each campaign.
Contribution limits this cycle are set at $5,800 per donor.
The latest disbursement marks the fifth round of funding released by ELEC during the general election campaign.
Krystal Knapp is the founder of The Jersey Vindicator and the hyperlocal news website Planet Princeton. Previously she was a reporter at The Trenton Times for a decade.