Corzine outspending Christie nearly 3-1, most of it from his own fortune

By Matt Friedman | October 27th, 2009 - 10:03am
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Gov. Jon Corzine has raised $24.1 million and spent $23.6 million on the general election campaign so far, according to 11-day pre-election reports filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission. 

Of Corzine's total raised, $22.6 million is from his own pocket.

Republican gubernatorial Christopher Christie has maxed out on matching funds, raising a total of $11.7 million and spending $8.8 million, while independent Christopher Daggett has raised $1.3 million and spent $1.2 million. 

Christie has the most cash on hand, at $3.6 million.  That sum will not grow, however, since Christie is bound by a cap on campaign funds that Corzine, who does not participate in the public financing program, is not.  Daggett has $292,495 on hand and Corzine has $412,410.

The totals do not include heavy spending by outside groups or money raised or spent by the candidates after October 20.

Combined, the three major candidates have raised 15% less and spent 23% less than Corzine and Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Forrester did four years ago.

"The financial activity reported by the candidates follows the same pattern displayed in the 29-day pre-election reports, which also showed a decrease in receipts and expenditures," said ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle.

The nine other candidates for governor have raised a total of $44,802 and have spent $26,305. 

Two new polls show Christie expanding his lead

New Rasmussen Poll (10/26/09)

Christie: 46%
Corzine: 43%
Daggett: 7%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/elect...

New PPP Poll (10/23/09-10/26/09)

Christie: 42%
Corzine: 38%
Daggett: 13%

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/

MOney doesn't matter.

Corzine's money doesn't matter at all. Christie is up in the polls because he is being real with the people of NJ not having rallies. Christie is speaking personally to citizens of every area, urban/suburban in NJ. Also, Kim his partner - LT. GOV. is a great candidate as well.

How do we know it is Corzine's money he is spending?

I couldn’t find anywhere that ELEC audits the personal bank accounts of candidates who say they are using their own money. Did I miss something? What is preventing a number of special interest groups from circumventing the donation maximum by funneling monies directly to the candidates? It’s just not Corzine I’m questioning. In Hoboken I see that Beth Mason and her husband are providing the lion share of the money for her campaign. I’ll bet there are a number of elections going on in the state this year with self funded candidates. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with using your personal wealth to get elected. I just want to be sure it is actually their money.

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