TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The wealthy front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial primary says he will take part in public debates.
Phil Murphy announced his decision Monday outside the Division of Elections, where he was dropping off petitions required to participate in the primary.
Murphy is funding his campaign in large part with a $10 million personal loan. State election officials say that since he’s not accepting public matching funds, he isn’t required to participate in the debate.
At least one of his Democratic opponents is taking public funds. Jim Johnson is a former official in President Bill Clinton’s administration and has received nearly $900,000 in matching funds.
The state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission says there will be two Democratic and two Republican debates, but times and dates have not been sent.
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