Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer are widely expected to be considering a run for governor in 2025. (Photos by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Two members of New Jersey’s House delegation who are expected to mount campaigns for governor ended the year’s third quarter with vastly different sums in their war chests.
Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) and Josh Gottheimer (D-05), both of whom are expected to join a growing field of Democrats hoping to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy in 2026, represent congressional districts that have grown far friendlier for Democrats than in past cycles.
Still, Gottheimer, known as a prolific fundraiser, brought in roughly $1.3 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, bringing his campaign war chest to a staggering $20.3 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Sherrill raised $858,019 and ended the reporting period with just under $1 million in reserves.
The congresswoman spent more heavily over the three-month period, expending $1.5 million in her race against Republican Joseph Belnome, who raised a comparatively meek $43,115 in the third quarter and had $179,510 banked at the end of the reporting period.
Gottheimer made $414,271 in expenditures during the third quarter — more than the $301,926 his Republican opponent, Mary Jo Guinchard, has raised through the entire cycle.
The incumbents’ reserves will do little to aid them in a campaign for governor.
Unlike some states, New Jersey does allow transfers from federal campaign accounts to state campaign accounts, and contributions from such accounts are subject to regular donation caps, said Stephanie Olivo, a former compliance director for the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
The commission has set a $5,800 ceiling on campaign contributions to gubernatorial candidates for the 2025 race.
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