ELEC says no matching funds without running mate

by: Jason Springer

Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 10:45:00 AM EDT

Chris Daggett was ready to pick up the check after he qualified for matching funds, but the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission has said not so fast:

Although he raised the $340,000 necessary to qualify for two-for-one matching funds from the state and was approved by ELEC, independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett has not yet received the money because he has yet to choose a running mate.
The problem is that, in order to receive public funds, state law requires both the gubernatorial candidate and his or her running mate to file paperwork with ELEC stating that they are willing to participate in the required public debates and disclosing whether they've ever been involved in an issue advocacy organization.

The problem is that no one knows what the Lieutenant Governor position really means. They don't know what it means for the campaign or for governing after the election. ELEC says they are abiding by the strict interpretation of the law to protect funds:

"The law says that both [candidates] - governor and lieutenant governor - must file these reports before receiving funds," said Brindle. "We're very protective of public money."

In fact, the Secretary of State's office won't even say he can run yet if he doesn't choose a running mate:

It remains unclear whether gubernatorial candidates can still run if they have not picked a running mate by the Monday deadline. The Secretary of State's office has yet to make the determination.
"Right now it's a hypothetical question and it will need further legal review," said spokeswoman Susan Evans.

We knew they'd be breaking new ground with the creation of the position, but if Daggett doesn't choose a running mate, then what? Obviously the Monday deadline will have to come and go without an announcement to make the hypothetical a reality, but these are questions that will need answers as we adjust to the new office that has been created.

Jason Springer :: ELEC says no matching funds without running mate