Christie’s presence boosts New Jersey Republican fundraising

For years, New Jersey Republicans have been outgunned by Democrats in fundraising, but in recent months that has been changing.

In the first half of this year, the top three Republican fundraising committees in the Garden State have gathered about $858 thousand, compared to $1.3 million by the biggest Democratic committees.

The Republican amounts are 84 percent higher than four years ago while the Democrats totals are down 58 percent.

Republican State Committee Executive Director, Rob Cressen, attributes his party’s fundraising gains to Governor Christie’s accomplishments.

“The voters, obviously Republicans specifically, are very excited about this opportunity and are getting behind him not only in supporting his policy initiatives but also in supporting the rebuilding of the state party,” he says. “And obviously that’s going to come with finances as well as with just enthusiasm.”

Cressen says there’s still time for the Republicans to catch up with the Democrats in money raised by next year, when all 120 seats in the legislature are up for election.