TRENTON — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono has raised enough money to qualify for matching state funds for the primary election, according to her campaign.

Buono, a state senator from Middlesex County, as of Saturday had raised at least the $380,000 needed to begin receiving $2 for every $1 she takes in, her finance director Sara Ferrill said.

"Sen. Buono has found support in all corners of New Jersey. Small donors from all across the state invested what they could afford to help bring real leadership to Trenton," said Ferrill. "Their generous contributions help formed a broad and diverse coalition that, coupled with the outpouring of support at Saturday's rally, shows that our campaign has struck a nerve in the Garden State. Without question, our campaign will have the necessary resources to compete and win this November."

The campaign did not disclose exactly how much Buono raised.

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Buono will have to request the funds from the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. The state does not match the first $122,000 Buono raised. So if the commission approves the funds, Buono would be eligible to receive a first infusion of at least $516,000.

While accepting the funds, Buono would be limited to raising and spending $5.6 million in the primary, for which she has no major rivals. During the general election she would need to qualify again for the funds and could raise and spend a maximum of $12.2 million.

Gov. Chris Christie, who used matching funds during the 2009 election, has said he will not use them in this year's primary election. His campaign has not said if he will use matching funds in the general election. He has already raised more than $2 million.

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