WASHINGTON — Here’s one reason the New Jersey Democrats swept into office by last fall’s blue wave may be tough to dislodge next November.

Three of the state’s newest lawmakers, Reps. Andy Kim, Tom Malinowski, and Mikie Sherrill, all entered April with more than $500,000 in the bank, according to new Federal Election Commission filings. Sophomore Rep. Josh Gottheimer did even better, building up his campaign bank account balance to $4.9 million.

Those lawmakers and freshman Rep. Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd Dist., were among the 55 House Democrats targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Van Drew, though, raised just $120,556 and had just $80,099 in the bank at the end of March. Only Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist., had less money to spend, $28,275.

Sherrill and Gottheimer were considered strong favorites for re-election by the Cook Political Report, a Washington-based publication that tracks congressional races. Malinowski and Van Drew had a slight edge and Kim’s race was considered a toss-up.

Here’s a closer look at the numbers for the period Jan. 1 through March 31:

New Jersey’s champion fundraiser fills his coffers.

Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., brought in $830,063, more than any other New Jersey lawmaker. That included $102,000 from political action committees, with $64,000, or 63 percent, from those whose businesses were under the jurisdiction of the House Financial Services Committee that Gottheimer sits on.

Committee cash

When Sherrill, a former Navy pilot, ran for the House in 2018, she received $10,000 from defense industry committees, or 1 percent of her $731,660 in PAC donations.

As a new member of the House Armed Services Committee, Sherrill, D-11th Dist., already received $19,500 in defense committee donations, 16 percent of her $124,700 in PAC contributions.

No corporate PACs, no problem

Both Kim, D-3rd Dist., and Malinowski, D-7th Dist., were elected on pledges to overhaul ethics and campaign finance laws, and promised not to accept contributions from corporate PACs.

That didn’t hinder their fundraising. Kim brought in $556,839 and Malinowski $562,384.

Both got plenty of PAC funds from other sources. Kim accepted funds from industry association PACs, receiving $1,000 apiece from those representing hospitals, credit unions and beer wholesalers. He also took in $27,000 from union PACs.

Anthony DeAngelo, speaking for the Kim campaign, said those committees were not classified as corporate PACs.

“Congressman Kim has and will never take money from corporate PACs," DeAngelo said. "He’s been a leader in the fight for campaign finance reform and to take big money out of our politics.”

Malinowski received $2,800 from George Soros, the financier falsely accused by President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans of funding immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and protesters opposed to putting Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Supreme Court.

He also took in $2,800 from former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

The biggest contributor to both lawmakers’ campaigns was End Citizens United, which supports candidates who promise overhaul campaign finance laws. The group’s PAC gave $10,000 to both incumbents.

Kim and Malinowski were among the lead sponsors of House-passed legislation that made it easier to register to vote, requiring additional disclosure of donations, and strengthening ethics laws.

Is Van Drew in trouble?

The South Jersey freshman, who polled 52 percent against a Republican opponent disowned by the NRCC for making racist comments, primarily relied on PAC money to fill his campaign coffers.

“You have to wonder if he’s even trying to get re-elected after posting numbers this weak,” said Calvin Moore, a spokesman for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House Republican leaders.

Of the $120,556 Van Drew brought in, $98,500, or 82 percent, came from PACs.

Van Drew, D-2nd Dist., whose district includes Atlantic City, received $2,500 apiece from the PACs of Caesars Entertainment and the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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