jim-johnson

Democrat Jim Johnson. (Photo by Ezra Austin)

By Ezra Austin

For The Times of Trenton

TRENTON -- Gubernatorial candidate Jim Johnson is fighting to gain more visibility as the Democratic primary draws nearer.

The former U.S. Treasury official and federal prosecutor has faced an uphill battle since he announced his campaign this past October.

And he's trying to overcome the wide party support and funding received by Phil Murphy, who launched his campaign months prior to Johnson's.

"I've put together a team that runs outsider campaigns," Johnson said last weekend, before visiting several business establishments in Newark.

Johnson pointed to Deval Patrick, the former governor of Massachusetts, as a model for overcoming difficult political obstacles. "When he first announced, he had very little name recognition, no party support, and was running against a very popular elected attorney general," Johnson said.

"I mention that to say there is precedent for people who supposedly have the party apparatus stacked against them coming through and winning," he said.

In January, Johnson assembled a team featuring members who worked on the campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren.

"My approach to most things is to be fairly methodical and systematic," Johnson said. "In building a campaign structure, you need to make sure you have the right strategic team, the right tactical team, and obviously you can't do anything unless you get the funding."

Much of Johnson's efforts have been focused on trying to raise money for his campaign. Johnson is at a large disadvantage against Murphy, who has lent his campaign at least $10 million.

"I spend a lot of time on the phones," Johnson said. "The campaign has done events in Silicon Valley, in Los Angeles, in New York, in Washington, in Boston, as well as here in New Jersey."

The Johnson campaign is also seeking to boost its candidate with increased advertising.

"In terms of raising the profile, we've raised enough money to get on the air," Johnson said. "Once you get on the air, that changes how people perceive you--or it changes that they perceive you at all."

Johnson is now the second gubernatorial candidate in the race with a television ad, following Murphy. He unveiled the ad last weekend during a commercial break from Saturday Night Live.

Like Murphy, Johnson has never held elected office, but he believes that his time as a prosecutor and Treasury under secretary gives him unique qualifications other candidates lack.

"All of my experience prepares me for governor," Johnson said. "Because of the variety of my experiences, I can understand problems from multiple perspectives, and that is one of the key things that a governor needs, because we are among the most diverse states in the country and our challenges require complex solutions," he said.

Johnson says he is committed to remaining in the race. "Right now the electorate wants candidates that are responsive," he said. "They definitely want a choice."

Follow NJ.com on Twitter @njdotcom. Find NJ.com on Facebook.