The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (N.J. ELEC) is letting Bill Spadea keep his NJ 101.5 program… for the time being.
“The radio program can go on, but we will be monitoring this vigorously,” ELEC Chairman Thomas Prol, an attorney and former state bar association president, announcing following a Friday morning hearing which heard arguments from advocates from Spadea and the campaign of Jack Ciattarelli.
Spadea celebrated the news with his followers.
“On Friday ELEC forced us to defend my right to remain on the radio and do my job. Well, I’ve got big news… we won!” the radio host declared in a fundraising email blast to supporters. “Let me be clear… this campaign has never been about me, it’s about the hardworking men and women of New Jersey. This attempt at silencing me and removing me from the radio was about protecting the career politicians and bureaucrats that have broken our state. They’re afraid of the power of OUR VOICE and what we can do together. Well, after today’s ruling, I’m proud to say I’m not going anywhere!”
That’s not the end of the story, however. ELEC also warned Team Spadea that it could determine that the morning drive program is an “in-kind contribution” in excess of the legal limit for such contributions in the event that a complaint from the public triggers a full review.
“If we find a violation, we will value the contribution during the adjudication and process that to decision,” Prol added. “If we find a violation, we will value the contribution during the adjudicatory process and make a determination; then, we will hold the candidate and campaign accountable for any such violation. This will include any impact on public financing.”
Ciattarelli’s attorney Mark Sheridan had argued that the show is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars of free exposure to Spadea’s 2025 gubernatorial primary campaign every week. Counsel for the station countered that mere exposure isn’t enough since the station runs disclaimers and Spadea’s commentary isn’t expressly supportive of his campaign.
What’s clear is that Friday’s ruling is a major victory for Spadea (for obvious reasons) and his allies, including the Trump-pardoned Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore, who increasingly rely upon Spadea’s powerful daily platform to advance their agenda in state politics. Spadea could remain on the air as late as next March (2025) when ballot petitions need to be filed though, as evidenced by ELEC’s ruling, conditions could conspire earlier in time which could in turn force Spadea from the air.
Spadea’s opponents thus far including Ciattarelli, state Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21) and ex-state Senator Ed “The Trucker” Durr (R-3).
