A pattern observed in ELEC's 29-day governors campaign financial reports holds in the last scheduled pre-election report ELEC will issue before election day. From NJ ELEC's website:
Jeff Brindle, Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) said today that "Governor Jon S. Corzine, Republican candidate Christopher J. Christie, and Independent candidate Christopher J. Daggett have raised $37.1 million and spent $33.6 million."
"Together," added Brindle, "the candidates have raised 15 percent less and spent 23 percent less than 2005 candidates Corzine and Forrester, who reported raising $43.8 million and spending $43.6 million at this time in the contest." The two major candidates in 2005 were self-funded.
But the Governor is outspending almost 3-1, the bulk of that coming from his own personal funds. Corzine is free to spend because he did not participate in the public financing program binding both Christie and Daggett to limits on raising and spending. Christie has already received the maximum $7.3M in public matching funds; 62% of funds raised. Daggett has received $726,876 in matching funds, 54% of his funds raised.
By contrast, Corzine raised $24.1M, $22.6M comprised of contributions or loans from Corzine himself to the campaign. He reports spending $23.6M. As the campaigns go into the final flurry of persuading and delivering voters, Corzine's advantage could prove a huge wallop.
These totals don't include spending by outside groups - like the Republican and Democratic Governor's associations - or money raised/spent by the candidates after October 20. Outside the Big 3, the report shows that combined the remaining candidates raised $44,802, and spent $26,305 in the general election.
Tomorrow, ELEC is scheduled to release 11-day pre-election financial reports for the statehouse candidates. ELEC Gubernatorial reports are here. |
