Former U.S. State Department official Jason Blazakis announced on Friday that he’d raised $194,699 during his first six weeks in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district – but it turns out $71,600 came from his own pockets.
That means that 37% of Blazakis’s total fundraising thus far has been from himself. Minus his own contribution, he’s raised $123,099 from donors.
To be clear, it’s not unusual for congressional candidates – especially first-time candidates – to put in some of their own money to kickstart a campaign. And the source of the money has no impact on its usage; Blazakis will be able to use all $177,774 that he has on-hand to build out his campaign and introduce himself to voters.
“In just the last six weeks of the third quarter, former national security official Jason Blazakis hit the ground running – raising money from more than 260 contributors and keeping a low burn rate to build a strong starting foundation: a warchest of over $175k,” Blazakis’s campaign said in a statement. “New Jersey is hungry for steady leadership that doesn’t give in to partisan extremes and puts Jersey first.”
But as Blazakis fights to convince local party leaders across the 7th district that he’s the right person to take on Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), demonstrating a strong fundraising ability is just as important as the money itself. Unless there’s more self-funding on the way, which seems unlikely, Blazakis’s 3rd quarter numbers may give some Democrats pause – especially when they’re put in comparison with those of his Democratic primary opponent, Sue Altman.
Altman, the former New Jersey Working Families Party director, has raised just over $500,000 so far, though she’s been in the race more than twice as long as Blazakis. During her first month in the race, Altman raised $218,000, none of it self-funded.
Altman’s campaign said that Blazakis’s self-funding, combined with his relatively small number of donors from New Jersey, show that he doesn’t have the momentum needed to flip the 7th district.
“Jason Blazakis’ return to New Jersey has gotten off to a rough start,” Altman spokesperson Matt Fisch said. “After a bungled rollout and a blank financial disclosure, he now disclosed only seven donors from New Jersey for his entire third quarter fundraising period. Compare that to 673 for Sue – 82% of her donors are from NJ – and there is no doubt where the energy and excitement in CD7 is.”
A third 7th district Democratic contender, Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello, dropped out of the race last week, citing difficulties in fundraising.
The winner of the primary will face Kean, a first-term congressman who unseated Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) last year in a close race. Kean, long a formidable fundraiser, has amassed a warchest of nearly $1.8 million.