Sue Altman, a top candidate for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s highly competitive 7th congressional district, raised $275,296 in the 4th quarter of 2023 and starts 2024 with more than $525,000 on-hand.
Altman, the former head of the New Jersey Working Families Party, has now had three consecutive solid fundraising hauls since launching her campaign in May 2023. She’s raised around $780,000 in total – most of it from New Jersey donors, with New Jerseyans making up 84% of her 4th quarter contributors.
“We are delighted that once again, for the third quarter in a row, an extraordinarily high number of our donors come from New Jersey,” Altman said in a statement. “This is a homegrown campaign with homegrown support, and that’s exactly what it will take to win back this seat.”
Neither of Altman’s Democratic primary opponents, former U.S. State Department official Jason Blazakis and Summit Councilman Greg Vartan, have released their 4th quarter numbers yet. Both will have to report substantial hauls if they hope to keep up with Altman; Blazakis had $178,000 on-hand at the end of the 3rd quarter, while Vartan entered the race during the 4th quarter and thus hasn’t reported raising any money yet.
Although the Democratic primary is still six months away, county convention season – a critical part of the nomination process – will arrive much sooner. Hunterdon Democrats are set to meet to award their county organizational line in late February, followed soon afterwards by the 7th district’s other five county parties.
The eventual winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face freshman Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), who unseated Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in a close 2022 race. As of October 2022, Kean – long a strong fundraiser – had nearly $1.8 million in his warchest.
“We will outwork and out hustle Tom Kean Jr.,” Altman said of her prospective general election matchup. “2024 will be a long year for Junior and an exciting one for Democrats. I’d far rather be us than him right now.”