State Party fundraising: Dems outpace GOP 10-1

With a Democratic governor in place for the first time in eight years, Democrats outraised Republicans by a 10-1 margin during the first six months of 2018, according to fundraising numbers released by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

The Democratic State Committee raised $1,839,865 and has $722,077 cash-on-hand, while the Republican State Committee brought in $189,613 and has $94,198 in the bank.

Senate Democrats and Republicans were somewhat even, with Democrats bringing in $186,894 and keeping a warchest of $128,336.  Senate Republicans raised $149,414 and have cash-on-hand of $115,114.

Assembly Democrats raised $499,578 and banked $88,051.  Assembly Republicans picked up $126,300 and have $123,680 cash-on-hand,

There are no legislative races viewed as competitive in 2018.  The GOP is not expected to seriously contests special elections for State Senator and two Assembly seats in the 38th district, and special elections for State Assembly in districts 15, 22, 34 and 36 are widely considered to be safe Democratic seats.

“It is encouraging to see some improvement in Big Six fundraising this year. But the committees have a long way to go before they are as flush as 2007, particularly in comparison to independent groups, which, just last year spent $48 million to influence the gubernatorial and legislative elections,” said ELEC executive director Jeff Brindle.