Rothman edges out Pascrell in money race for NJ seat

By Josh Lederman - 04/09/12 03:26 PM ET

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) edged out his primary opponent, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), in fundraising for the first three months of 2012, bringing in $540,000 to Pascrell's $510,000.

The mere $30,000 that separated Pascrell's first-quarter haul from Rothman's underscored the neck-and-neck nature of the race between the two Democrats and long-time friends, who have struggled to find clear and obvious ways to differentiate themselves as they square off in the Democratic primary.

Rothman has almost $1.8 million stored up for his reelection, and all but about $150,000 of that can be used for the primary, an aide said Monday.

“This means that our campaign will have the resources to demonstrate that Steve is the only candidate in this race who fights for the progressive ideals that form the core of the Democratic Party,” said Rothman spokesman Paul Swibinski.

Pascrell didn't release how much cash he has on hand, but he had almost $1.5 million stored up as of the end of 2011. Pascrell's campaign said he has raised $1.4 million so far this cycle.

"Democratic voters in the new 9th congressional district will have a choice to make between two very different candidates on June 5th and we will have more than enough money to get out our message," said Justin Myers, Pascrell's campaign manager.

Rothman and Pascrell were pitted against each other by New Jersey's new congressional map. New Jersey lost one seat in redistricting due to slow population growth, and map-makers dismantled Rothman's district, forcing him to either challenge Pascrell in the primary or run against Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) in a much more conservative district.

With few major policy differences between them, Pascrell and Rothman have spent the early part of the primary arguing over who holds a more solidly liberal record. Pascrell went on the air last week with a television ad contrasting his support for President Obama's healthcare reforms with the Tea Party policies he has vowed to block.

- This post was updated at 3:56 p.m.