With no state elections this year, the so-called “Big Six” fund-raising committees reached the year’s midpoint with slightly below average fund-raising and spending, according to quarterly reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

The two state parties and four legislative leadership committees have raised nearly $2.2 million and spent $1.7 million so far in 2022. That’s 3.9 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. below averages for seven years without state elections dating back to 2010. On the plus side, the combined cash-on-hand of $1.45 million is 11 percent above the $1.3 million average for the same period.

TABLE 1
CAMPAIGN FINANCE ACTIVITY BY “BIG SIX” AT END OF 2nd QUARTER BY YEAR
YEAR RAISED SPENT CASH-ONHAND STATE ELECTIONS
2009 $3,653,103 $1,811,223 $3,682,236 Governor and Assembly
2010 $2,175,742 $1,637,673 $1,835,526
2011 $3,684,467 $1,915,020 $3,329,478 Senate and Assembly
2012 $2,988,610 $2,590,387 $1,426,366
2013 $3,382,737 $1,874,081 $3,189,889 Governor and Both Houses
2014 $1,276,109 $1,319,714 $ 800,994
2015 $2,476,599 $1,983,389 $2,160,318 Assembly
2016 $1,661,559 $1,513,987 $1,127,086
2017 $2,751,561 $2,205,599 $2,263,401 Governor and Both Houses
2018 $2,991,664 $2,416,353 $1,321,894
2019 $2,283,313 $1,729,263 $2,075,620 Assembly
2020 $1,342,492 $1,090,629 $ 911,929
2021 $4,836,037 $3,529,208 $2,678,213 Governor and Both Houses
2022 $2,167,841 $1,737,175 $1,450,701
Average for Non-Federal Years $2,255,330 $1,818,034 $1,306,511
Versus 2022-% -3.9 -4.4 +11

“Combined cash-on-hand is above average even though the two state parties have transferred more than
$500,000 to their federal accounts in recent months, presumably for this year’s federal congressional elections,” said Jeff Brindle, ELEC’s Executive Director.

The Democratic State Committee has moved $402,258 into its federal account this year while the
Republican State Committee has shifted $125,000 into its federal account.

Compared to similar totals in 2018, Democratic fund-raising and spending totals are down while
Republicans have raised more this year but spent less than four years ago. Both parties report larger cash-on-hand totals versus 2018.

TABLE 2
FUNDRAISING BY “BIG SIX” COMMITTEES JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022

REPUBLICANS

RAISED SPENT** CASH-ON-HAND NET WORTH*
New Jersey Republican State Committee $ 132,453 $140,547 $ 46,321 $ 46,321
Senate Republican Majority $ 255,060 $107,928 $ 156,207 $ 156,207
Assembly Republican Victory $ 211,863 $ 68,508 $ 201,617 $ 201,617
Sub-Total- Republicans $ 599,376 $316,983 $ 404,145 $ 404,145
Versus 2018 (Dollars) $ 134,049 $(75,645) $ 71,153 $ 71,153
Versus 2018 (Percent) 29% -19% 21% 21%

DEMOCRATS
New Jersey Democratic State Committee $ 799,878 $1,098,468 $ 190,664 $ 176,696
Senate Democratic Majority $ 448,804 $ 57,243 $ 642,064 $ 642,064
Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee $ 319,783 $ 264,480 $ 213,828 $ 183,389
Sub-Total- Democrats $1,568,465 $1,420,192 $1,046,556 $1,002,149
Versus 2018 (Dollars) $ (957,872) $ (603,533) $ 57,654 $ 97,749
Versus 2018 (Percent) -38% -30% 6% 11%

Total- Both Parties $2,167,841 $1,737,175 $1,450,701 $1,406,294
Versus 2018 (Dollars) $ (823,823) $ (679,178) $ 128,807 $ 168,902
Versus 2018 (Percent) -28% -28% 10% 14%

*Net worth is cash-on-hand adjusted for debts owed to or by the committee.

**Some spending totals exceed fundraising totals because the committee dipped into reserves or incurred debt.

Brindle said both parties would benefit from enactment of the pending “Elections Transparency Act”
(S-2866/A4372). After being voted out unanimously and with bipartisan support by two state Senate Committees and an Assembly committee, the bill stalled before the Legislature recessed June 29.

Following ELEC recommendations, the bill would increase contribution limits on party committees
including the Big Six and require disclosure by special interest groups that spend independently of candidates and parties. “Unlike parties and candidates, these independent groups face no contribution limits and have far eclipsed spending by party committees during the past decade,” Brindle said.

“Our existing outdated statute enables them to hide their contributions though New Jersey has been lucky that many have voluntarily disclosed their donors,” said Brindle. “We cannot continue to rely on this good will. Political strategies change and much of this money could suddenly turn dark. That is exactly what is happening in federal campaigns.”

“I remain hopeful that the Legislature will enact the reform bill this fall,” he said.