The parties reported their best first-quarter fundraising since 2009.
TRENTON -- New Jersey's county political parties, which are struggling to compete for donations, reported their most funds raised in the first quarter since 2009, according to the nonpartisan Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Political parties have been losing their financial influence as more and more money flows to less-regulated political action committees and other special interest groups.
ELEC has chronicled similar woes among statewide parties and legislative leadership committees. But first quarter financial reports show county parties also have their most cash on hand since 2010.
The 38 of 42 county parties that filed quarterly reports had more than $2 million in cash on hand at the end of March. During the first three months of the year they raised $1.5 million and spent $971,000, according to ELEC. Spending in the first quarter was at its lowest since at least 2009.
Two county parties did not file by the deadline and two spending less than $5,500 do not have to file, said Joe Donohue, ELEC deputy director.
Cash woes a sign parties are weakening
Executive Director Jeff Brindle noted that despite the uptick, fundraising levels have fallen significantly.
"As recently as 2004, the combined county parties raised $2.8 million for the first quarter," he said.
Burlington County Republicans raised the most amount of money in January, February and March, raking in nearly $206,000. It spent only $2,200. Somerset Republicans raised $131,000 and spent $43,500.
The Somerset GOP's $427,000 in reserves accounted for more than half of all Republican reserves.
Among Democratic parties, Bergen's brought in the most money, $177,000, followed by Essex with $121,000 and Passaic with $100,000.
Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.