TRENTON – Bill Spadea can stay on the air, but the state’s election watchdog agency will be watching.

Or, in the verbiage of government, the Election Law Enforcement Commission, or ELEC, will be “monitoring” his four-hour show on 101.5.

That was the ruling Friday after a three-hour hearing in Trenton.

At issue is Spadea’s dual role as a radio personality and a 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Common sense, which ironically is a Spadea campaign catchphrase, would suggest that being on the radio five weekday mornings would be a huge advantage.

That was the take of Jack Ciattarelli and Jon Bramnick, two of the other GOP candidates in the race.

Lawyers for both campaigns told the commission the entire show in question is about Spadea’s policy ideas.

Moreover, it was noted that most candidates have to spend money on advertising and other ways to be heard. But in this case, Spadea is actually paid by Townsquare Media to air his views.

The point was clear: How crazy is that?

Lawyers for Spadea and Townsquare Media painted a different picture.

Angelo Genova, who represented Townsquare, contended that Spadea’s show has “no value” to his candidacy.

His lawyer-like justification was that Spadea does not use his show to “express advocacy.” Genova also mentioned a disclaimer that periodically runs on the air. And just to make sure everyone heard it, Genova played it during the hearing.

But wait a minute.

Some commission members were not pleased with the disclaimer.

It was noted that the disclaimer mentions the name of Bill Spadea and governor multiple times. Or in other words, this was a “disclaimer” that does not do what it’s designed to do.

Genova did not necessarily disagree, saying that the station was open to amending the disclaimer.

Strangely, however, the commission’s resolution at the end of the hearing did not mention the disclaimer. Perhaps that will come when ELEC issues its formal order, probably sometime next week.

No matter when ELEC’s order comes, you get the feeling this issue is not over.

That’s because the commission’s resolution was kind of vague.

It said that Spadea’s show will be monitored, but precisely how that will work remains to be seen.

And you get the feeling Ciattarelli and Bramnick will be “monitoring” Spadea’s show as well.

At least until next spring.

All agreed that when Spadea successfully files his nominating petition and becomes an official candidate, he will be off the air. That will happen about two months before next June’s primary.

So there’s a lot of time between now and then.

Sounds like much opportunity for monitoring.