Garden State Republicans see jump in fundraising

New Jersey’s GOP is encouraged by a big jump in their fundraising.

State Republican Party officials say the nearly $1 million it raised in the first quarter of the year far exceeds the average $75,000 for that period in recent years.

Party officials credit Gov. Chris Christie’s leadership for the gain and say they’ll use the money for the November elections.

Fairleigh Dickinson political science professor Peter Woolley said having a bigger campaign war chest might not make a huge difference for the Republicans.

“Most districts are drawn to favor the incumbents and there won’t be a lot of competition in most of the districts,” said Woolley. “But there will be some competition in some of the districts and that’s where the money is going to go.”

All of the seats in the state Senate and Assembly are up for election.

Woolley said, even with the increased funding, he does not expect Republicans to win control of the Legislature.