The Republican Governors Association has reserved $355,000 in TV ads so far to boost Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign in New Jersey through an RGA-connected super PAC, Restore NJ.
Vote-by-Mail ballots go out on September 20.
The Democratic Governors Association has reserved $20 million in TV ads, which is more, to help Mikie Sherrill win. The DGA is already up on the air with an ad that rips Ciattarelli for considering an increase in the sales tax. Ciattarelli has punched back on that, accusing the ad – and Sherrill’s response – to be dishonest.
Reservations don’t constitute dollars spent, and there is no assurance that the DGA won’t spend less – or more — and the RGA could increase their budget.
Four years ago, the RGA sat the race out and watched Ciattarelli unexpectedly come within three points of unseating the Democratic incumbent, Phil Murphy. The RGA relied on advice from former Gov. Chris Christie, who told them Ciattarelli couldn’t win.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, the RGA chairman, visited New Jersey a month ago to raise money for Ciattarelli.
