An analysis of notable fundraising reports as Assembly races intensify
Money talks.
When voters elect the next iteration of New Jersey’s General Assembly this June and November, they will do so in elections without the county line for the first time in decades. The effects of a line-less election cycle are yet unclear, but money might be more important than ever.
Fundraising totals can also signal retirement, strength, or surrender.
The New Jersey Globe has compiled notable legislative fundraising reports for the fourth quarter of 2024 (October through December). Data is retrieved from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, which requires quarterly disclosures.
Assemblyman John Allen (D-Hoboken) was ranked 10th in the New Jersey Globe’s initial Least Likely to Return rankings. The 32nd district Democrat rocketed himself to the top of the list last week when he announced his retirement and ended any speculation of his return.
As usual, his fundraising numbers reflected his retirement plans. He raised only a couple thousand dollars in the fourth quarter and spent nearly $9,000. He now has just $1,627 on hand, and deciding how to spend it or where to distribute it is largely up to him.
Instead, Allen deferred to Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, for whom he worked as chief of staff.
Bhalla has $25,900 in his mayoral account, funds he can transfer to his nascent Assembly campaign. The mayor will need those funds in what is gearing up to be a competitive primary.
Also in the competition is former Murphy administration official Katie Brennan, who raised a gargantuan $84,750 in the last quarter of 2024. She entered 2025 with $76,000 on hand.
Freshman Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-Jersey City) is running for re-election and must fend off either Brennan or Bhalla. She’s recognized it will be an expensive race: The Jersey City Democrat raised about $40,000 in the fourth quarter and buttressed the funds with an $80,000 loan to her own campaign. Ramirez entered 2025 with $130,000 on hand.