New Jersey’s Democratic county organizations entered the second half of 2026 with nearly four times as much cash as their Republican counterparts, according to new campaign finance reports released by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
County political parties raised nearly $4.8 million and spent $5.5 million during the first six months of the year, ending June with a combined $4.5 million in cash reserves.
Democrats accounted for more than three-quarters of the money raised, taking in $3.69 million through June 30. Republican county committees raised $1.1 million.
The financial disparity was nearly as pronounced in spending and cash reserves. Democratic organizations spent $4.31 million and reported $3.57 million in the bank, while Republicans spent $1.15 million and held $905,659.
Campaign finance activity accelerated considerably during the second quarter.
Democratic fundraising increased 138% from the first-quarter total, while spending rose 119%. Their collective cash reserves fell about 5%, from $3.78 million at the end of March to $3.57 million at the end of June.
Republican fundraising grew 88%, and spending increased 97%. GOP county organizations boosted their combined cash reserves by 36%, from $665,324 to $905,659.
The totals are substantially lower than they were at the midpoint of 2025, when New Jersey was in the middle of what became the most expensive gubernatorial election in state history.
Combined county-party fundraising was down 43% from the $8.36 million raised during the first six months of 2025. Spending declined 29%, from $7.72 million to $5.46 million, while cash reserves fell 13%.
Still, the quieter federal-election year has produced stronger-than-normal financial activity by historical standards.
Compared with the annual midyear average since 2016, county-party fundraising was 25% higher, spending was up 47%, and cash reserves were 32% larger.
The Bergen County Democratic Committee was the state’s dominant county organization during the first half of the year. It raised $736,197, spent $435,976, and finished June with $888,743 in cash — the largest reserve held by any county party.
Essex Democrats raised $458,740 and held $414,837, while Passaic Democrats collected $417,813 and reported $133,678 in the bank.
Hudson Democrats raised $380,926 but ended the reporting period with just $41,291 in cash. After accounting for outstanding debts, the organization reported a negative net worth of $111,558.
Middlesex Democrats raised $380,343 and spent $811,164, more than any other county organization in the state. The committee had $78,141 remaining in its campaign account.
Nine Democratic county committees reported cash balances above $100,000: Bergen, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Passaic, Salem, Somerset and Union.
Mercer Democrats had the second-largest Democratic cash reserve at $523,635 despite raising only $31,123 during the six-month period. Essex had $414,837, Union had $338,414, Somerset had $259,586, and Gloucester had $246,680.
Camden Democrats reported $122,750 in cash but had a negative net worth of $73,650 after debts.
Ocean County led Republican fundraising, bringing in $265,122 and spending $252,215. But it closed the period with only $31,333 in cash.
Monmouth Republicans raised $177,054, the second-highest GOP total, and spent $191,596. They had $26,836 remaining.
Cape May was the strongest Republican county organization in terms of reserves. It raised $147,920, spent $69,968, and reported $369,231 in cash.
Cape May was the only Republican county committee with a cash balance exceeding $100,000. Atlantic Republicans had the next-largest cash reserve at $85,998, despite raising only $304 during the first six months of the year.
Burlington Republicans reported just $10,110 in cash, but a net worth of $518,868 after money owed to the committee was included.
Two GOP organizations were underwater. Gloucester Republicans had a negative net worth of $1,773, while Somerset Republicans reported negative cash of $3,540 and a net worth of negative $14,902.
The Warren County Democratic Committee filed a statement indicating that it does not expect to spend more than $8,600 during 2026. The Hudson County Republican Committee did not report financial activity in ELEC’s county-by-county table.
The most politically competitive county elections this year are expected in Atlantic, Cumberland and Gloucester counties, with Democrats also holding outside chances in Hunterdon and Morris. Republicans hold the cash advantage in Atlantic, with $85,998 on hand to the Democrats’ $29,982, and in Cumberland, with $65,914 to the Democrats’ $15,422. Gloucester presents the reverse picture: Democrats have $246,680 in the bank, compared with just $1,211 for Republicans. Hunterdon Democrats reported $12,254, while Republicans had $17,739. In Morris, Democrats held $88,971, nearly nine times the Republicans’ $9,852.
The statewide totals are based on reports filed with ELEC through August 25.