Who raised the big bucks in the N.J. Assembly races

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Spending by outside groups represented 42 percent of total spending in the general election, setting a new record. (Tony Kurdzuk | The Star-Ledger)

(Tony Kurdzuk | The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON -- Outside money flowed into New Jersey Assembly races at a record rate leading up to Tuesday's election.

And even though 40 districts are on the ballot, just a few lured most of those fundraising dollars, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Independent groups spent more than $8.5 million on the general election, representing 42 percent of all spending on the races. Special interest groups spent more in the 2013 election, but as a share of total spending, their dollars are "having a bigger impact on this year's elections," Executive Director Jeff Brindle said.

The legislative candidates themselves spent more than $12 million, according to ELEC.

Of the more than $20 million spent on the general election, as of Oct. 23, more than $12.6 million flowed into 10 districts. About $8.7 million came from the candidates and nearly $4 million from independent committees, according to ELEC.

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Spending by candidates was highest in Atlantic County's District 2; Cape, Atlantic and Cumberland counties' District 1; and Bergen and Passaic counties' District 38.

These districts, too, drove the most outside spending, primarily by General Majority PAC, which backs Democratic candidates. General Majority poured $1.5 million into District 2 and nearly as much into District 1. It spent about $374,000 in District 38.

These special interest groups are known as 527 organizations, which are tax exempt and can accept donations from contributors without limits. They must disclose their donors to the IRS, not the state.

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These special interest political action committees are not new to New Jersey elections. In 2013 when the governor and all 120 seats in the state Legislature were on the ballot, these committees spent $38.9 million, representing 60 percent of all contributions. General Majority, under the name Fund for Jobs Growth and Security, spent more than $8 million to help elect Democrats, according to ELEC.

General Majority PAC received $3.5 million from Garden State Forward, a Super PAC formed in 2014 by the New Jersey Education Association, $400,000 from the Carpenters Fund for Growth and Progress and $25,000 from New Jerseyans for a Better Tomorrow.

The National Association of Realtors fund spent nearly $270,000 on New Jersey races and the NJ Coalition of Real Estate spent about $80,000.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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