Democrat Vincent Prieto is the top fundraiser among 2015 NJ Assembly candidates

 New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, D-Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, D-Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Many people consider this November an “off-year” when it comes to elections, because the highest position on the ballot will be for state Assembly — the first time since 1999 — and all 80 seats are up for reelection.

But that also means that candidates running for state Assembly, can’t count on any coattails. They have to bring people to the polls themselves. But that doesn’t translate into competitive races, as Jeff Brindle, executive director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement noted in a statement.

As of May 5, state Assembly candidates had raised $11.5 million, and spent $6.2 million, leaving $5.2 million in cash on hand. Democrats are outraising Republicans about 2 to 1, with incumbents of either party far outpacing challengers 11 million to $0.5 million.

Top 10 money-raisers

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1) Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson)  $548,000

2) Atlantic County Republican Assemblyman Chris Brown $352,000 (expected to face one of the few competitive races)

3) Deputy Assembly Speaker Joseph Egan (D-Middlesex) $274,263

4) Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union) $269,774

5) Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) $225,941

6) Assembly Speaker pro tempore Gerald Green (D-Union) $209,692

7) Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) $163,531

8) Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) $162.484

9) Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R-Bergen) $157,969

10 ) Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) $141,272.

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