Campaign Coffers Grow in Brick Primary Race

The latest filings from the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission – the body that is tasked with regulating campaign contributions in New Jersey – do not come with any big surprises.

The township's well-funded regular Republican organization boasts the heaviest war chest for the primary season – wealth that can eventually be used in the general election if it's not all spent before June 4.

The regular Republicans, who have endorsed mayoral candidate Joseph Sangiovanni in a primary battle against fellow GOP township council member Dan Toth, reported $43,775 in campaign contributions so far.

The regular Republican organization has accounted for its donations through what is known as a joint candidates' committee. The committee represents Sangiovanni for mayor, and Domenick Brando, John Ciocco and Victoria Chadwick for council.

So far, the regular Republicans have spent $2,517 this election cycle, though the report was filed May 3, meaning that number may now be higher.

Two engineering companies – Remington, Vernick and Vena Engineers, and Richard A. Alaimo Associates – are the Republicans' biggest contributors, each donating $10,400.

Toth has raised $8,700, according to a May 7 filing. His largest contributor, Tinali Wines, donated $2,600.

Toth spent $3,148 by the filing date.

John Ducey, endorsed by the regular Democratic organization in the race for mayor, filed paperwork saying he plans on spending either no money or less than the state's required reporting threshhold on the primary election. No donations were reported.

Likewise, there were no donations reported to the council campaigns of regular Democrats Heather DeJong, Marianna Pontoriero or Charles P. Tivenan.

Rival Democratic mayoral primary candidate Joe Lamb raised $1,950 by the time he filed May 6, though $1,500 of that amount came from a personal donation to his own campaign.

Lamb has spent $850 thus far.

John Hall, a Democrat who registered to run in the council primary, has funded his own campaign by the amount of $100.