Special interest groups spend record number on NJ elections

    An analysis by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission shows political action committees set up by unions, trade associations and other special interests spent a record $35 million last year.

    More money from special-interest groups is making its way into New Jersey election campaigns.

    An analysis by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission shows political action committees set up by unions, trade associations and other special interests spent a record $35 million last year. That’s a 22 percent increase from the previous gubernatorial election year in 2005.

    Commission director Jeff Brindle says there are concerns that people connected to political parties might be bending the rules by forming a number of different political action committees.

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    “and in that way possibly circumvent contribution limits even beyond what the political parties are able to do to contribute to the candidates and also as a possible way of getting around the pay-to-play laws.”

    The Election Commission is urging the state legislature to give it the power to prevent one group from establishing multiple political action committees.

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