Fulop Campaign Files Official ELEC Complaint Against Mikie Sherrill For Governor Over Campaign Finance Violations

Complaint Alleges Misuse of Federal Funds to Skirt Gubernatorial Spending Limits, Calls for Immediate Investigation by ELEC

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The Fulop campaign today announced the filing of a formal complaint with the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission against Mikie Sherrill regarding her clear misuse of congressional campaign funds to circumvent fundraising limits in her statewide gubernatorial campaign. This action follows the guidance of ELEC Advisory Opinion No. 01-2023 (the “Maradie Opinion”) and calls on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (“ELEC”) to immediately audit Sherrill’s gubernatorial account and take appropriate enforcement action.

“New Jersey’s matching funds system is designed to give everyday residents a voice, not to be exploited by candidates working with political bosses behind the scenes,” said Mayor Fulop. “We aren’t looking to score political points here with this action but what Mikie Sherrill is doing is just plain wrong and residents deserve a fair election.” Mayor Fulop said. 

“New Jersey deserves a fair election in which all candidates abide by the same rules,” said Scott Salmon, Scott Salmon, an election lawyer and shareholder at Jardim Meisner Salmon Sprague & Susser. “When someone attempts to circumvent our state’s campaign finance laws it undermines public trust and threatens the integrity of our elections. Applying to gain tax payer dollars from matching funds and then using your congressional account to offset campaign expenses is ethically wrong and something that Elec has clearly stated is not permitted.  We urge ELEC to hold Mikie Sherrill accountable.”

Under ELEC’s Advisory Opinion No. 01-2023, any coordinated expenditure made from a separate campaign account that benefits a gubernatorial campaign must be attributed to that campaign, regardless of whether the candidate has formally declared or sought matching funds. The complaint alleges that Sherrill has effectively bypassed the gubernatorial expenditure cap by using her congressional funds to promote her gubernatorial ambitions, an act the Fulop campaign deems both unethical and illegal.

In a political environment where matching funds are intended to level the playing field, any misuse or misrepresentation of expenses to secure additional public money is a serious violation. With high-profile instances in other jurisdictions, such as those involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams.