New Jersey ranks 20th in fundraising for Georgia Senate PAC led by Christie

The independent Georgia Battleground Fund has raised over $41 million in their bid to hold two United States Senate seats up for grabs in next week’s special election, but less than 1% of that money has come from New Jersey.

The $246,500 raised in New Jersey follows a December 10 virtual fundraiser hosted by Bill Palatucci, the Georgia Battleground Fund New Jersey Chairman.   The honorary co-chair of the group, former Gov. Chris Christie, and national finance chairman Karl Rove were listed as special guests on Palatucci’s invitation.

New Jersey ranks 20th as a donor state to the independent PAC, just behind Wyoming and Arizona.

Palatucci, who made a fundraising pitch for the Georgia Senate races in remarks just before the December 14 GOP state chairman election, has not personally contributed to the group he chairs, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Christie, who is reportedly mulling a second bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, also didn’t make a personal contribution to the fund.

New Jersey’s top donor is Christie De Nicola, a Franklin Lakes homemaker who contributed $41,100.  Princeton investor Joseph Naggar gave $22,400, and two Princeton retirees, Paul and Daniel Cullen, each donated $20,000.

Other donors include former Christie chief of staff Richard Bagger ($5,600), former Christie Chief Counsel Thomas Scrivo ($2,000), and lobbyist Roger Bodman ($5,600).

Democrats need to take both Senate seats to score a 50-50 ties in the upper house.  Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would break that tie, giving Democrats control.

The Georgia Battleground Fund is a joint fundraising committee with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the two Republican incumbents, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

Perdue reported raising $87,362 from New Jersey donors, while Loeffler’s New Jersey haul was $11,396.

Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is up against Perdue in the January 5 runoff, has raised $367,681 in New Jersey, while Loeffler’s Demcoratic rival, Rev. Raphael Warnock, has brought in $156,962 from the Garden State.