About $1.7M in public funds disbursed in governor’s race

New Jersey election officials are releasing details about the amount of public campaign matching funds disbursed to candidates.

The Election Law Enforcement Commission said Monday that more than $1.7 million has been given to two candidates vying to succeed Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

The commission says Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno received $830,818. Democrat Jim Johnson, a former Clinton administration Treasury official, has received $875,474.

The program dates to 1974 and allows candidates to get $2 in public cash for every $1 raised. Candidates must raise $430,000 to qualify for public cash. There’s a cap of $4 million and spending for candidates getting public money is limited to $6.4 million in the primary.

Matching funds are financed through donations from state income tax forms and through the general fund.