Super PAC targets South Jersey Assembly races
A Washington-based Democratic super PAC has spent more than $1 million on New Jersey legislative races for November's Assembly elections, according to records filed this week with state regulators.
A Washington-based Democratic super PAC has spent more than $1 million on New Jersey legislative races for November's Assembly elections, according to records filed this week with state regulators.
General Majority PAC has spent the bulk of that - more than $850,000 - in South Jersey's First and Second Districts. Those races are considered two of the most competitive this cycle. Each district is represented in the Assembly by one Republican and one Democrat.
Much of the campaign has focused on how to revive Atlantic City and South Jersey's economy, which has been battered by casino closings and layoffs.
The political action committee's president is Susan McCue, a former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Senate's Democratic leader. Gov. Christie appointed McCue to the Rutgers University Board of Governors last December.
The PAC, previously known as the Fund for Jobs, Growth and Security, spent $8 million on state races in the 2013 cycle, when every seat in the Legislature was up for election. It was the second-most among independent-expenditure groups, behind only one allied with the New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union.
On its website, General Majority PAC describes itself as the "first nationwide Super PAC focused on electing Democratic state legislators and other political leaders to build middle-class economic security."
Super PACs, which proliferated after the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010, can raise unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations, and labor unions, but they cannot coordinate their spending with campaigns.
This year, Assembly races top the ballot, with all 80 seats up for election. Democrats control the chamber, 48-32, and are unlikely to lose that majority. Analysts are expecting low voter turnout in November.
There are 750,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans in the Garden State, though a plurality of voters are unaffiliated.
Reports filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission show General Majority PAC has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads attacking Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi (R., Atlantic), who represents the First District.
Chris Russell, a spokesman for Fiocchi and running mate Jim Sauro, a Cumberland County freeholder, said his team's Democratic opponents were "virtually invisible" in the race and were hiding behind the First District's popular state senator, Jeff Van Drew, who isn't up for reelection.
Fiocchi and Sauro are "running against a super PAC in North Jersey and the Trenton Democrats' campaign arm," Russell said.
In New Jersey, General Majority PAC is based in Middlesex County.
Allison Murphy, campaign manager for Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak (D., Atlantic) and his running mate, Bruce Land, a Vietnam War veteran who lives in Vineland, said the Democrats have been campaigning in front of supermarkets and knocking on doors.
"I guess they're hiding in plain sight," Murphy said. "They're not afraid. They're two American war heroes. I don't think they've ever hidden from anything in their lives." Andrzejczak served in Iraq.
The PAC has spent money on direct mail supporting the Democrats.
In the Second District, the PAC has spent money supporting incumbent Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and running mate Colin Bell, an Atlantic County freeholder.
General Majority has paid for Facebook ads opposing the Republican opponents, Assemblyman Chris Brown and Atlantic County Freeholder Will Pauls.
The PAC also has spent $160,000 on TV ads opposing the Republican candidates in the 38th District in Bergen County, another relatively competitive race.
One of those candidates, Anthony Cappola, dropped out of the race last week after Politico reported he had self-published a book 12 years ago that disparaged minorities, gays, women, and others.
The incumbent Democrats are Tim Eustace and Joe Lagana.
Of all the legislative races, Districts 38 and 1 drew the most spending in the 2013 elections, with $5.9 million pouring into the District 38 race and $4.7 million into District 1. That total includes spending by campaigns and outside groups. About $4.2 million was spent in the Second District.
More complete campaign-finance reports are scheduled to be released Tuesday by the Election Law Enforcement Commission.
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