Kranjac raises just $100,000 in bid for governor

Mario Kranjac, the obscure former mayor of tiny Englewood Cliffs has raised just $103,608 in his bid for the Republican nomination for governor, and has just $31,365 cash-on-hand as of last week, according to a report he filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

But Kranjac, who has called himself the only MAGA candidate, says his campaign will continue despite President Donald Trump’s endorsement of another candidate, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, last night.

Kranjac had suggested after his late entry into the race as the self-described America First candidate that he might possess the ability to raise money or self-fund part of his campaign.  But he personally donated $5,800 and his law firm added an additional $20,000 – about 25% of his total haul.

There were no contributions from Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Gingrich is a client of Kranjac’s law firm.  There is no sign that any significant Gingrich national donors are backing Kranjac.

In a statement today, Kranjac said he will try to convince Trump to give him a second endorsement.

“The President has often been willing to endorse more than one viable candidate in a race,” said Kranjac.  “Our movement is clearly the only other credible option.”

Another Republican candidate, Justin Barbera, did not file a report with ELEC.

Former State Sen. Ed Durr, who dropped out of the race on filing day, reported raising $11,774 for his gubernatorial bid.  He has $7,913 left in the bank.