The super PAC of a top New Jersey environmental group is spending another $500k to back Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s (D-Montclair) campaign for governor and wading into a North Jersey Assembly race.
The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund has now dedicated about $1.7 million in digital ad buys to support Sherrill’s campaign to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy. The LCV Victory Fund announced an initial $1.2 million round of spending last month.
The spending will back ads released last month attacking Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the GOP nominee for governor. The ads accuse Ciattarelli of backing policies that would increase taxes and electricity costs.
The LCV endorsed Sherrill in February, before she had secured the Democratic nomination.
“We’re going all in to make sure voters know what’s at stake in this election,” said Jesse Sutherland, political director of the New Jersey LCV Victory Fund. “New Jersey needs leaders who will lower costs for families by investing in clean, renewable energy, not politicians who put fossil fuel profits ahead of people’s health and pocketbooks.”
The group launched a new 15-second ad backing Assemblymembers Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) and Chris Tully (D-Bergenfield), who are seeking re-election in the 38th legislative district. The group called Swain and Tully “environmental champions” and said it will spend $55k on a digital ad buy supporting the pair.
“This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring voters know the truth about candidates’ records and who is really fighting for their communities,” Sutherland said. “Mikie Sherrill and our endorsed Assembly candidates in LD 38 will move New Jersey forward with clean energy, healthier communities, and a thriving economy for all.”
Mail-in voting has already started, and more than 308,000 voters have cast their ballots, according to VoteHub. The most recent poll of the race, by Quinnipiac, found Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 6 points.
Script for “Searching,” the ad backing Swain and Tully:
[Narrator] “Lower my bills … oh, Lisa Swain and Chris Tully. Fighting to lower utility costs, hold companies accountable for rate hikes, and voted to cut taxes 20 times. Lisa Swain and Chris Tully: making Jersey more affordable.”