NJ Governor Election Was Among Most Expensive In US History, Officials Say

New Jersey’s recent governor election was one of the most expensive in U.S. history at a whopping $259.36 million – and the counting isn’t done yet, officials say.

The NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) released a deep dive into the finances behind the state’s highly watched 2025 gubernatorial race on Monday. See the full report here.

Former U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, triumphed over Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee, also beating third-party candidates Vic Kaplan (Libertarian Party), Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party), and Lily Benavides (Green Party, write-in) in the general election on Nov. 4.

The primary election in June saw a crowded field of candidates, with six Democrats and five Republicans appearing on the ballot.

Total campaign spending topped $259.36 million in New Jersey this year – making it the “most expensive New Jersey election in state history by a large margin,” ELEC deputy director Joe Donohue said.

When adjusted for inflation, it ranks as the sixth-costliest governor election in the nation’s history, ELEC researchers reported.

When examined by per capita spending, New Jersey’s 2025 election jumps forward in the ranking and becomes the most-expensive in U.S. history, researchers said.

The $259 million total is not final, researchers noted. Candidates may have post-election expenses, and some independent spenders involved in the race haven’t reported their final totals yet. They are organized as continuing political committees, and will not file their post-election reports until mid-January.

According to ELEC data, Sherrill and her supporters spent “significantly more” money than her main rival, Ciattarelli and his backers.

More than $78.5 million was spent to elect Sherrill, compared to the $62.9 million in outlays by Ciattarelli and backers: a 56 percent to 44 percent margin.

New Jersey’s previous high was the 2005 gubernatorial election, which was dominated by two deep pocket candidates.

The winner – Jon Corzine – and challenger Doug Forrester spent a combined $73 million of their personal fortunes in that election, according to ELEC researchers.

This year’s election eclipses other New Jersey records as well, the ELEC reported:

• It was the most expensive combined election ever, featuring both the most expensive primary election and most expensive general election
• It led to the largest allotment of public funds ever to gubernatorial candidates
• It featured the most independent expenditures in a New Jersey election
• It was the first time independent spenders outspent candidates in a governor’s race

The New Jersey race cost more than twice the $117 million gubernatorial contest this year in Virginia – the only other state to hold a governor election in 2025, researchers said.

Researchers added the following caveat about the data: “Because ELEC could find no ranking of the top gubernatorial elections, staff did thorough research to develop such a list. It looked back decades in large states such as California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and New York where most of the biggest gubernatorial elections have taken place. While we believe the list to be complete, people should contact the agency at 609-292-8700 if they know of other elections that should be on the list.”

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