Pallone warchest tops $3 million

Eyeing the chairmanship of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) has a warchest of over $3 million to help Democrats take control of the House this year.

Pallone has raised nearly $2.3 million this cycle and has spent over $2.4 million since his last election.

His Republican opponent, Hillary Herzig, has raised just $7,645 – including $2,886 she loaned to her campaign — and has $1,866 cash-on-hand.

In the June Democratic primary, Pallone received a lower-than-expected 65.6% against two underfunded progressive challengers.

The 75-year-old Pallone was first elected in a November 1988 special election after his mentor, Rep. James Howard (D-Spring Lake Heights) died unexpectedly of a heart attack while golfing just before the filing deadline.

If he wins re-election this year, Pallone will tie Rep. Peter Rodino’s record as the longest-serving Democratic congressman in New Jersey history.  He’d need to win again in 2028 to break that record.