NJ Governor Race Dominated by Real Estate Donors and Controversy
Real estate donors and policy are at the forefront of the NJ governor race as Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli vie for the coveted seat.
As the New Jersey gubernatorial race heats up, real estate has emerged as a major issue. With Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli battling to take over for current Governor Phil Murphy, the influence of real estate donors and policies is becoming increasingly apparent.
During a heated debate on Sunday, Gothamist reports that real estate took center stage when the topic of lowering rents was brought up. In a critical moment, Sherrill called out her opponent, stating that he "wasn't going to do anything about it" because one of his top donors, Jeff Kurtz of Kamson, was currently being sued on the very same issue. Sherrill's comment shed light on the tight-knit relationship between developers and politicians in New Jersey.
The controversy surrounding real estate in the governor race is not limited to just one candidate. According to The Real Deal, both Sherrill and Ciattarelli have received significant donations from real estate developers and companies. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of money on policy decisions.
One of the top donors to Ciattarelli's campaign is billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross of Related Companies. Ross has donated $10,000 to Ciattarelli's campaign and has also hosted a fundraiser for him. Sherrill's campaign has also received donations from prominent developers such as David Barry of Ironstate Development and Paul V. Profeta of Profeta Urban Investment.
The close ties between politicians and real estate developers in New Jersey have raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the election process. As one anonymous real estate executive stated