The Salem Republican Party possesses the most cash on hand among GOP county party organizations with $242,950, compared to Gloucester Democrats reporting the second highest cash on hand totals among Democratic County Party organizations with $287,915 COH, according to the latest reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

The totals represent a Monitor v. Merrimac scenario in the 3rd Legislative District, where Salem GOP Chairman Fran Grenier is posing a challenge to Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) of Gloucester.

The report came as county party fund-raising during the first six months of 2017 reached its highest point in a decade due in part to an influx of national party funds related to this year’s gubernatorial election, according to ELEC.

Combined county party-fundraising totaled $3.6 million through June 30. That is 35 percent more than 2013, the last year when voters faced an election for governor and both legislative houses. It also is 73 percent higher than 2010, a non-election year that saw the weakest county party fundraising since 2001.

Jeff Brindle, ELEC’s Executive Director, said even though total county party fundraising this year is higher than some recent years, it was off 55 percent from the six-month total for 2003. The $7.9 million collected in 2003 was the most county parties raised during the first two quarters since 2001.

“While county party fundraising has been surprisingly robust this year, it still was much lower than earlier years when there were no restrictions on contributions by public contractors and independent groups weren’t competing for donor dollars,’’ said Brindle. “Fundraising remains a challenge for party officials.”

Brindle said pending bills sponsored by both parties contain ELEC recommendations that would permanently strengthen party fundraising by letting public contractors and other donors give more to party coffers and by expanding disclosure requirements for independent groups.

Brindle said a key reason fundraising is higher this year is a one-time influx of funds from the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) aimed at giving Democratic county organizations a boost in a gubernatorial election year.

So far, the DGA has pumped $415,000 into 14 county parties. Ten received checks worth $37,000, the maximum per year a county party can accept.

“ELEC records show that DGA also contributed to county parties in New Jersey during the 2001, 2005 and 2009 gubernatorial election years,’’ Brindle said. He further noted that the Republican Governors Association (RGA) gave an infusion of funds in 2005 to county parties. The RGA has not participated so far this year.

Among Democratic committees that filed reports, Bergen, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Passaic and Union Counties reported cash-on-hand above $100,000. Burlington reported a negative net worth, meaning it owes more than its cash reserves.

Campaign Finance Activity of Democratic County Party Committees January 1 through June 30, 2017

County Raised Spent Cash-On-Hand Net Worth*

Atlantic $ 37,502 $ 37,800 $ 34,562 $ 34,562

Bergen $ 239,231 $ 248,575 $ 120,698 $ 60,066

Burlington $ 62,644 $ 52,490 $ 12,402 $ (73,565)

Camden $ 198,498 $ 183,228 $ 152,854 $ 152,854

Cape May $ 10,203 $ 4,540 $ 6,858 $ 6,858

Cumberland $ 37,350 $ 44,598 $ 6,364 $ 6,364

Essex $ 251,105 $ 174,468 $ 190,980 $ 190,980

Gloucester $ 38,204 $ 78,157 $ 287,915 $ 287,915

Hudson $ 204,983 $ 130,422 $ 157,805 $ 18,660

Hunterdon $ 61,050 $ 44,992 $ 24,174 $ 24,174

Mercer $ 115,434 $ 89,919 $ 97,722 $ 97,722

Middlesex $ 172,445 $ 256,389 $ 17,886 $ 17,866

Monmouth $ 175,274 $ 164,159 $ 16,888 $ 16,888

Morris $ 99,029 $ 75,516 $ 35,651 $ 35,651

Ocean** $ 17,585 $ 15,650 $ 15,975 $ 32,142

Passaic $ 184,607 $ 94,169 $ 523,957 $ 523,957

Salem $ 0 $ 2,367 $ 26,593 $ 26,593

Somerset $ 77,237 $ 41,895 $ 37,706 $ 37,706

Sussex $ 53,240 $ 42,003 $ 20,974 $ 20,974

Union $ 111,596 $ 92,000 $ 127,437 $ 118,883

Warren** $ 26,795 $ 29,649 $ 764 $ 764

Democrats-Total $2,174,012 $1,902,984 $1,916,163 $1,638,01

Among Republican committees, Salem and Somerset Counties reported cash-on-hand above $100,000.

Campaign Finance Activity of Republican County Party Committees January 1 through June 30, 2017

County Raised Spent Cash-On-Hand Net Worth*

Atlantic $ 10,300 $ 12,156 $ 663 $ 663

Bergen $ 39,446 $ 76,528 $ 14,013 $ 14,013

Burlington $ 491,757 $ 479,004 $ 16,368 $ 846,181

Camden $ 8,512 $ 8,901 $ 18,701 $ 18,701

Cape May** $ 81,480 $ 42,065 $ 52,357 $ 52,357

Cumberland $ 42,486 $ 21,576 $ 56,831 $ 56,831

Essex $ 10,000 $ 17,729 $ 628 $ 628

Gloucester $ 31,670 $ 18,551 $ 20,492 $ 20,492

Hudson NA NA NA NA

Hunterdon $ 49,300 $ 41,364 $ 17,639 $ 17,639

Mercer $ 11,865 $ 3,082 $ 13,398 $ 13,398

Middlesex $ 21,989 $ 11,173 $ 44,466 $ 44,466

Monmouth $ 139,926 $ 116,634 $ 32,916 $ 32,916

Morris $ 34,156 $ 36,025 $ 21,583 $ 21,583

Ocean $ 23,806 $ 34,476 $ 3,777 $ 3,777

Passaic $ 11,058 $ 33,648 $ 5,618 $ 5,618

Salem $ 258,812 $ 35,388 $242,950 $ 242,950

Somerset $ 88,350 $ 110,474 $210,599 $ 209,176

Sussex $ 12,442 $ 10,290 $ 24,776 $ 24,776

Union $ 29,550 $ 28,080 $ 54,455 $ 54,455

Warren $ 14,100 $ 20,412 $ 493 $ 493

Republicans- Total $1,411,005 $1,157,556 $852,722 $1,681,112

*Net worth is cash-on-hand adjusted for debts owed to or by committee; NA=Not Available **First quarter totals

The numbers in this analysis are based on reports filed by 10 a.m. July 31, 2017. They have yet to be verified by ELEC staff, and should be considered preliminary. Individual reports can be reviewed on ELEC’s website (www.elec.state.nj.us)