Worried about Ciattarelli beating Sherrill, DNC increases financial support for NJ governor race

DNC Makes Major Investment in New Jersey Gubernatorial Race

As Election Day draws near, the Democratic National Committee is stepping up its financial efforts in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, where concerns are rising that Republican Jack Ciatarelli could potentially unseat the struggling Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

On Tuesday, the DNC announced it would allocate around $500,000 to campaigns in New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, although it didn’t specify how much of that would be for New Jersey.

Supporters of Ciatarelli believe this spending is an indication that leading Democrats are somewhat anxious about the outcome in New Jersey. “They only have $12 million in the bank, compared to about $86 million,” remarked Alex Wilkes, a Republican consultant from New Jersey who previously worked with Ciatarelli. He added, “They must be feeling pretty desperate if they have to dig through the couch cushions to spend their last ‘dime’ on her.”

The DNC has already invested at least $3 million in New Jersey, making this its largest known financial commitment for an off-year race there.

In contrast, the Democratic Governors Association has poured $20 million into advertising, outpacing the Republican Governors Association, which has invested $6 million, according to an analysis by a local newspaper.

The DNC’s latest funding will support field staff in three states, helping Democrats connect with voters and key races leading up to 2024.

“At the DNC, every election is crucial,” DNC President Ken Martin stated. “Now is the time to remind Donald Trump and his party that their reign is nearing its end. The stakes couldn’t be higher. We’ll be fighting for every vote in the next two weeks.”

Similar to New Jersey, Virginia’s gubernatorial race also occurs in an off-year cycle, but Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, a former roommate of Sherrill, currently maintains a solid lead in most polls. In Pennsylvania, three Democratic state Supreme Court justices are on the ballot this November.

Among these races, New Jersey seems to be the one causing the most concern for Democrats, with Sherrill holding a narrow 4-point edge in the latest polling data.

While some recent polls, including one from Emerson College, suggest an even contest with Ciatarelli in the lead by a point, most surveys indicate Sherrill remains ahead.

In a bid to bolster Sherrill’s campaign, top Democratic figures will be making appearances in New Jersey. Former President Barack Obama is slated to join her in Newark this weekend, alongside several senators like Amy Klobuchar and Elissa Slotkin.