TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Newly released election data show the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor broke a campaign spending record with more than $42.5 million spent in this year’s primary.
The Election Law Enforcement Commission on Wednesday published the latest reports compiled after the June 6 primary.
The reports show that wealthy Democratic nominee Phil Murphy spent $21.7 million, nearly four times as much as the other Democrats combined.
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The next highest spender was Republican nominee Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who spent nearly $3.5 million.
Spending in this year’s race breaks the previous record set in 2001 when, adjusting for inflation, $41.2 million was spent.
Murphy surged to victory over five competitors after loaning his campaign more than $16 million.
He pledged to accept state funds in the Nov. 7 election, capping spending at $13.8 million.
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