Outside money may flood 2017 election

Candidates and political committees in New Jersey must disclose donors, and contributions are capped, but special interest groups are able to avoid those regulations because of the court rulings. As a result, their influence has grown. Even though outside groups have so far spent less than candidates and committees in next week’s Assembly election, the $8.5 million they’ve laid out represents 42 percent of total spending, the highest percentage ever, according to the election law commission. Most of that outside money has flowed into three battleground districts, including District 38 in Bergen County. The $373,741 spent there by independent groups puts it third in the state for outside spending this year, according to the commission.

While the governor’s race is two years away, independent groups and super PACs have already surfaced with eyes on that race. Allies of Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Sen. Ray Lesniak have all reportedly established super PACs. That does not necessarily mean those individuals will run for governor, and they are not allowed to coordinate directly with super PACs, but it does allow for those groups to lay the framework for a campaign well ahead of when potential candidates would declare.

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