Democrats boast more money for state races

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, October, 2007 | by Cynthia Burton Inquirer Staff Writer

Democrats are raising far more money than Republicans in a handful of highly competitive local legislative races in New Jersey, according to campaign reports released yesterday.

Since the beginning of the campaign season, legislative candidates around the state have raised $27.8 million and spent $14 million. In 2003, the last time all 120 seats were up, they raised $48 million and spent $40.4 million in the same period.

Democratic legislative candidates in Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May and Monmouth Counties have raised a combined $4 million, while Republicans have raised $2 million.

Both sides are paying for slick mailers and newspaper and cable television ads, as well as pollsters and strategists. So far, only Democrats in Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May and...