The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) has approved $143,749 in public matching funds for the 2017 gubernatorial primary campaigns of two candidates.

ELEC has approved $86,620 in public funds for the Democratic primary campaign of James Johnson.

His cumulative receipts total $1,280,696.

ELEC also has approved $57,129 in public funds for the Democratic primary campaign of Assemblyman John Wisniewski. He has received $751,487 to date.

Through today, $3.9 million has been distributed to all candidates for the primary election.

Under the Gubernatorial Public Financing Program, which began in 1974, candidates who raise $430,000 or more can qualify for public matching funds. Primary candidates are eligible for up to $4 million in public funds. In exchange, other than a few exceptions, they must limit their total primary spending to $6.4 million.