Gottheimer raises enough for full match; will have over $8.4 million to spend on primary

After just four months as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) has raised enough to qualify for a full match under New Jersey’s gubernatorial public financing program.

Gottheimer, the Human Fundraising Machine, has raised over $2.935 million, which positions him to receive $5.5 million in matching funds, giving him an $8.435 million warchest to spend on the Democratic primary.

“Raising nearly $3 million in just four months is no easy task—but voters across Jersey are making it clear that they want Josh to be their next governor,” said Peter Opitz, a spokesman for the Gottheimer campaign.  “With the support of donors, supporters, and voters across the state, our campaign is moving full steam ahead to share Josh’s ‘Lower Taxes, Lower Costs’ message with Jersey families and earn every vote.”

In New Jersey governor’s races, candidates accepting matching funds may raise up to $3.2 million, which puts the five-term congressman from Bergen County just $265,000 away from the $8.7 million cap on spending in the June 10 primary election.  New Jersey offers $2 for every dollar raised above $185,000 up to the cap.

This doesn’t include monies being expended by Gottheimer’s super PAC, Affordable New Jersey, or independent expenditures on his behalf.

Another Democrat, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, raised over $3 million in his first six months as a candidate; Fulop launched his campaign in April 2023.  Republican Jack Ciattarelli qualified for his full match in January, nearly nine months after his April 2024 announcement.

“Jersey is ready for a proven problem solver in Trenton—someone like Josh, who will stand up to Donald Trump when he messes with Jersey families and who will cut taxes and lower costs for every person in the state,” stated Opitz.  “Josh has a long record of getting the impossible done, like when he negotiated the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, common sense gun safety reforms, and the largest investment to fight climate change ever—and he’ll do it again when he tackles Jersey’s affordability crisis as Governor.”