RGA chair raises money for Ciattarelli in N.J.

It looks like Jack Ciattarelli is finally getting some help from the Republican Governors Association.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, the RGA chairman, raised about $1 million at several North Jersey fundraising events today with Ciattarelli, the New Jersey Globe has learned.  The RGA is tapping its own donors in the region.

Four years ago, the RGA looked at inaccurate polling, believed former Gov. Chris Christie when he told them Ciattarelli couldn’t win, and took a pass on the New Jersey race.  Ciattarelli came within three points of ousting Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

Ciattarelli spent time with RGA officials and donors at a summer meeting last month in Aspen.

A poll released last week by Fairleigh Dickinson University shows Sherrill with an eight-point lead, 45%-37%.

The RGA is expected to make a final decision on how heavily they’ll play in the New Jersey gubernatorial race by the end of this month.

The Democratic Governors Association reserved over $20 million in TV, streaming, and digital ads last month in support of their nominee, Mikie Sherrill.  The ad reservations don’t constitute a final commitment.  Murphy twice chaired the DGA.

Also in July, Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy raised over $1.5 million for the Democratic National Committee at their Middletown home with former President Barack Obama as the headliner.  Most of that money is supposed to be earmarked for New Jersey.