NEW YORK—Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, is facing a Democratic challenger in the governor’s race.
New Jersey State Senator Barbara Buono, raised the $380,000 required to be eligible for matching public funds, according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Buono received almost $600,000 in public funds on March 6, according to records from the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission cited by the Wall Street Journal.
New Jersey candidates receive double the qualified contributions, not including the first $122,000. In total, Buono has raised at least $401,600.
“This is just further evidence that Senator Buono’s call for change in Trenton has resonated with the electorate,” Buono campaign manager Jonathan Ducote said in a statement, according to the Star-Ledger. “This influx of new funding will allow us to bring our message to citizens across the Garden State so that come November 6, there is new leadership in the State House.”
[Related: Obama, Christie Assess New Jersey Damage]
Christie has raised significantly more than Buono, totaling more than $2 million as of January’s disclosure.
Christie gave a speech on Thursday in Edison to commercial real estate developers, reported the Journal, in which he attacked New Jersey Democrats over their push to not pass a 10 percent income tax cut.
“This is a fundamental difference. We simply disagree,” Christie said about the tax cut. “That will be clear, believe me, crystal clear by Nov. 5, and then I'll let the people decide.”
He also said he would work to reverse job losses.
Christie’s name has been thrown around as a potential GOP candidate for the 2016 presidential race. He was praised by many, including President Barack Obama, for his handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Buono was born in Italy and has served as the police commissioner for the town of Metuchen.
