Bergen Assembly challengers lag in fundraising

Challengers from both parties are off to a slow start raising money for State Assembly races in Bergen County.

A joint campaign committee for Westwood Mayor John Birkner and Emerson Council President Gerald Falotico has raised just $1,680 in their bids to unseat Republican incumbents Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) and Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) in the 39th district.

The Democrats have spent $223 so far and have $1,457 in the bank, according to reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Schepisi has raised $118,438 and spent $51,985.  She has $66,451 cash-on-hand.

Auth reported raising $41,706, spending $21,136, and has $20,146 in his account.

The Republican candidates in the 38th district are faring no better as they look to unseat incumbents Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) and Christopher Tully (D-Bergenfield).

Paramus Councilman Christopher DiPiazza reported raising just $450.  He spent $31 to buy checks so he can someday spend the $419 he has in his warchest.  DiPiazza has not yet filed his 11-day pre-primary report.

His running mate, Rochelle Park Mayor Michael Kazimir, has not filed anything with ELEC.

Swain and Tully are not lighting the world on fire either.

Swain reports $24,580 cash-on-hand with no spending.  Tully has just $20,498 in the bank and hasn’t spent anything as well.

Both races are uphill battles for the challengers.

Republicans haven’t lost in the 39th since Gerald Cardinale (R-Demarest) knocked off an incumbent Democratic assemblyman in 1979.

Democrats have won every legislative race in the 38th since 2003, when Assemblywoman Rose Marie Heck (R-Hasbrouck Heights) gave up her seat to run unsuccessfully for the Senate.