Real estate groups dump $125K into N.J. primary race

Real estate interests have dumped just shy of $125,000 in independent spending into a primary election in Union County's 20th Legislative District, according to an analysis released Thursday by the state's campaign finance watchdog.

According to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), the National Association of Realtors' fund has spent $116,765 in the district, while a New Jersey realtors group has spent $7,989.

Assembly members Annette Quijano and Jamel Holley (D-Union) are facing challenges from two slates in Tuesday's primary. Elizabeth Board of Education Member Tony Monteiro and teacher Giuliano Farina are running on of the slates, while former Hillside councilman Jorge Batista and teacher Vivian Bell are running on another that's backed by Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp.

The real estate firms were not required to say who their spending favors, but real estate interests have long been major supporters of state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), who supports Holley and Quijano.

But Lesniak said he was baffled that the organizations spent six figures in the district because he had barely seen any advertising from them.

"I just haven't seen a lot. Where'd that money go? I'd like to know," Lesniak said.

A spokeswoman for the National Association of Realtors did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The 20th District is one of the few bastions of activity in what has been a remarkably quiet primary season. Holley and Quijano have reported spending $539,513, while their opponents have not reported any money raised or spent.

"Competition over legislative seats was more intense two years ago because the governor was running for reelection and state Senate seats also were up for grabs,'' said ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle. "Assembly candidates this year are running alone, and most incumbents are facing little or no primary competition."

The Assembly members who have raised and spent the most money in the state over the last year and a half are in south Jersey's 7th District: Assemblymen Troy Singleton and Herb Conaway (both D-Burlington). Neither faces a primary challenge, however, and much of the money they've spent has been distributed to other candidates.

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