There are 112 days until the midterm elections in November –as Democrats try to hold onto power, Congressional candidates aren’t wasting any time raising money for their re-election campaigns. Here in Jersey, some candidates are hoarding cash amounts totaling more than a million in their congressional campaign war chests. Former Senate minority leader-Republican Tom Kean Jr. –has raked in around $700,000 for his campaign in the last three months in the 7th district, but has nearly double that in the bank with $1.3 million. 21-term Republican incumbent Chris Smith has just under that after raising $1.2 million so far in District 4.
Rob Menendez raised over $1.3 million in total, securing the democratic nomination in June and Republican Paul DeGroot has only raised $21,000 from donors over the last three months and has nearly $300,000 cash-on-hand after loaning $200,000 to his campaign in his bid to unseat Democrat Mikie Sherill in the 11th district. Mikie Sherill’s war chest leads the pack, the two-term democratic congresswoman storing up a hefty $6.1 million for her re-election campaign so far this cycle.
The Democratic parties maintain a huge cash advantage over Republicans, but do deep campaign pockets secure an election win? Our Senior Writer and Projects Editor Colleen O’Dea breaks it all down.
New Jersey Democratic congressional candidates continue to hold a commanding money lead over Republicans, but this year’s midterm races could turn on more than money, with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on abortion and guns, high inflation and the specter of Donald Trump all potentially significant.
The 12 Democrats running, nine incumbents and one heavily favored to win, have eight times more cash on hand — $38.2 million, compared with $4.7 million for two GOP incumbents and 10 challengers. Democrats have also outraised and outspent Republicans.
Including amounts raised by losing primary candidates, New Jersey’s congressional races this year have so far drawn almost $45.5 million, including about $527,000 in independent spending that is expected to balloon as the November election gets closer.
