OpenSecrets

As New Jersey’s 12th district holds its primary today, 12 Democratic contenders who have collectively raised over $4.5 million compete to replace Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

We dig into the fundraising to reveal the sources of support and the role of super PACs before the results come in.

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Inside Democrats’ 12-candidate battle for a safe House seat in NJ - OpenSecrets News Twelve candidates have collectively raised $4.5M ahead of New Jersey’s 12th district primary, one of the most crowded races this year.

In 2022, the Supreme Court removed the cap and 20‑day window on post‑election loan repayments. This cycle, candidates have already poured at least $203 million of their own money into House and Senate races. That ruling makes it easier for campaigns to use funds raised long after voters cast ballots to repay large personal loans.

One striking example from 2024: Sen. Bernie Moreno lent his Senate campaign $4.5 million and was repaid $1.25 million more than a year after the election with post‑election donations. The ruling paved the way for bigger and more frequent self‑loans.

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More candidates repay campaign loans with post-election cash - OpenSecrets News Since the Supreme Court ended limits on loan repayments, candidates have increasingly used money raised after elections to repay themselves.