New Jersey�s Republican candidate for governor Jack Ciattarelli has nearly matched incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy�s spending in the election so far, though the governor has about five times more cash on hand going into the final week of campaigning.

Ciattarelli has spent about $12.4 million so far with Murphy expending nearly $12.6 million, according to the latest data from the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Murphy as $3.5 million cash on hand compared with nearly $700,000 for Ciattarelli. The governor has brought in more than $16 million compared with $13.1 million for Ciattarelli in the period between the June primary and Oct. 19.

The Election Law Enforcement Commission released the new figures on Monday.

Compared with data from a similar point in the governor�s race four years ago, spending has climbed from about $13 million then to $25 million this year. While Murphy had led in polls, he insists he�s running as if he�s 10 points behind.

There�s at least one big, new factor. Murphy�s opponent then was Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, former GOP Gov. Chris Christie�s top deputy. She carried an association with the two-term governor whose approval ratings had dipped greatly and ran a year after former President Donald Trump lost the state decisively.

Murphy also has a record to run on now, prominently featuring his handling of COVID-19, which polls have shown many residents approve of.

Ciattarelli has focused much of his campaign on property taxes, which run about $9,100 a year on average in New Jersey. He says he wants to rewrite how school funding is allocated to lower rates.

Murphy answers by pointing out he�s increased spending on school aid dramatically since taking office, which also decreases pressure on local school boards to raise property taxes.

About 82% of Murphy�s contributors are from New Jersey, with the rest spread across other states. New York is the largest among those. The lion�s share of contributions have been in the $2,000-$5,000 range, according to ELEC.

Ciattarelli�s donors have come overwhelmingly from New Jersey at 97%. A plurality of his contributions fall in the $200-$500 range.

Voters are already casting ballots in the race. Early in-person voting began for the first time this year over the weekend and runs through Halloween. Mail-in ballots are also streaming into county offices.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

(AP)