Nine candidates for 2025 gubernatorial primary nomination already have raised a combined $15.6 million and spent $5.3 million, according to quarterly reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

Candidates as a group also report having about $9.3 million in reserves available as they gear up for the June 10 primary.

“The fact that candidates already have raised $15.6 million with 145 days until the primary is a strong sign that this year’s election will be record-breaking,’’ said Joe Donohue, ELEC’s Deputy Director.

Table 1

Campaign Finance Activity Reported by 2025 Gubernatorial Primary Candidates
(Ranked by Funds Raised)

Candidate
Raised
Spent
Net Worth
Party

Stephen Fulop
$ 3,174,706
$ 640,720
$2,304,270
Democrat

Jack Ciattarelli
$ 2,934,567
$1,356,818
$1,536,899
Republican

Steve Sweeney
$ 2,425,827
$ 399,063
$1,921,370
Democrat

Josh Gottheimer
$ 1,658,774
$ 147,745
$1,501,099
Democrat

Jon Bramnick
$ 1,535,631
$1,131,937
$ 384,494
Republican

Mikie Sherrill
$ 1,392,060
$ 387,734
$ 604,326
Democrat

Ras Baraka
$ 1,162,168
$ 648,043
$ 503,391
Democrat

Bill Spadea
$ 1,126,655
$ 534,029
$ 470,797
Republican

Sean Spiller
$ 182,884
$ 64,253
$ 73,890
Democrat

Roger Bacon
NA
NA
NA
Republican

Monica Brinson
NA
NA
NA
Republican

Robert Canfield
NA
NA
NA
Republican

Edward Durr
NA
NA
NA
Republican

James Fazzone
NA
NA
NA
Republican

Hans Herberg
NA
NA
NA
Republican

Totals
$15,593,272
$5,310,343
$9,300,536

Donohue noted that 15 candidates1 already are vying for the primary.

1 Excludes three independent candidates.

“This is the second largest number since 1981, when 19 primary contestants sought the nomination,’’ he said. “That year was the first when public funds were available for New Jersey gubernatorial primaries.”

The $15.6 million in fundraising is preliminary and represents only what candidates themselves have raised so far from private contributors. Compared to spending totals from the 11 previous gubernatorial primary elections since 1981, the current year already ranks fifth without adjusting for inflation.

Under the Gubernatorial Public Financing program, qualifying candidates in 2025 can receive up to $5.5 million if they raise about $2.9 million from private sources under a 2-for-1 matching program. More public funds will be available in the general election.

“Except for the 2025 figure, which is based solely on candidate fundraising thus far, spending totals below are based on final candidate fundraising plus their public funds,’’ Donohue said. “Candidates are still expected to raise substantial additional sums from private donors. And several may qualify to receive public funds.”

Table 2
2025 Preliminary Fundraising Versus Final
Candidate Spending in Past Primaries

Year

Candidate Primary
Spending
Inflation Adjusted

2017
$34,494,741
$44,144,178

2005
$28,461,596
$45,714,744

2001
$23,019,458
$40,796,332

2021
$16,735,704
$19,374,124

2025*
$15,593,272
$15,593,272

1989
$15,034,503
$38,033,534

2009
$14,807,441
$21,650,957

1981
$14,751,459
$50,906,165

1997
$10,132,370
$19,803,196

1993
$ 9,967,456
$21,637,933

2013
$ 9,677,478
$13,031,239

1985
$ 6,224,289
$18,145,827

*Preliminary candidate fundraising only. Does not include public funds.

In 1974, New Jersey became the first state to authorize distribution of public matching funds to gubernatorial candidates starting with the 1977 general election.

Reports filed by candidates can be obtained on ELEC’s website at www.elec.nj.gov.
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