By Samantha Marcus | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Insurers, hospitals, telecommunications and energy companies, unions and industry associations spend big dollars each year to sway New Jersey residents and lawmakers.

The biggest among these — the top 25 — spent more than $74 million on campaigns and lobbying in 2017, according to a new Election Law Enforcement Commission report released Wednesday.

These top spenders accounted for 43 percent of all special interest spending in 2017, which came to $170.4 million, according to the report.

"This analysis seeks to measure the full cloud of the pressure groups by totaling their direct contributions and independent spending, which influence elections, and lobbying, which influences policy," the report said.

The analysis reviewed spending in 2017, when the governor's office and all 120 legislative seats were on the ballot.

Last year was also marked by some contentious debates over energy subsidies for PSEG's nuclear operations and then-Gov. Chris Christie's fight with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield over its reserves, which he wanted to tap for addiction treatment.

That dramatic fight between Christie and the health insurer contributed to a dramatic shutdown of state government over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The New Jersey Education Association, the largest public union in the Garden State, also spent record sums last fall to unseat Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester. A super PAC, New Jerseyans for a Better Tomorrow, spent millions in return backing Sweeney, who was re-elected.

Here are the 25 biggest spenders among New Jersey's special interest groups:

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25. Saint Joseph's Healthcare System

Direct contributions: $4,000

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $651,506

Total: $655,506

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Robin Wilson-Glover | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

24. Verizon NJ

Direct contributions: $62,450

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $652,124

Total: $714,574

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23. NJ Association for Justice PAC

This is a PAC comprised of members of the legal community that says it’s dedicated to “protecting New Jersey’s families by working to preserve and strengthen the laws for safer products and workplaces, a cleaner environment and quality health care.”

Direct contributions: $506,400

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $234,300

Total: $740,700

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22. New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association

Direct contributions: $601,250

Independent spending: $33,358

Lobbying: $154,250

Total: $788,858

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(Steve Hockstein | Bloomberg)

21. Prudential Financial Inc.

Direct contributions: $89,135

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $778,353

Total: $867,488

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20. New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Organization for a Better State

Direct contributions: $463,610

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $414,910

Total: $878,520

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19. New Jersey Hospital Association

Direct contributions: $69,800

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $818,332

Total: $888,132

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18. New Jersey Coalition for Fair Energy

A coalition of Calpine Corporation, Dynegy, NRG Energy, and the Electric Power Supply Association. This group fought against the nuclear subsidy for PSEG.

Direct contributions: $650

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $939,058

Total: $939,708

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17. Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Direct contributions: $12,500

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $1,198,826

Total: $1,211,326

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16. NJ Food Council

Direct contributions: $110,750

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $1,151,556

Total: $1,262,306

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Cristina Rojas | For NJ.com

15. Realtors

Direct contributions: $459,800

Independent spending: $699,049

Lobbying: $353,948

Total: $1,512,798

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14. Communications Workers of America affiliates

Direct contributions: $1,346,236

Independent spending: $275,000

Lobbying: $0

Total: $1,621,236

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13. Plumbers and Pipefitters

Direct contributions: $1,934,782

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $33,000

Total: $,1,967,782

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12. Republican Governors Association

Direct contributions: $4,300

Independent spending: $2,355,445

Lobbying: $0

Total: $2,359,745

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(Bill Gallo | NJ Advance Media)

11. Public Service Enterprise Group

Direct contributions: $355,100

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $2,350,364

Total: $2,705,464

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10. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

Direct contributions: $200,650

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $2,524,921

Total: $2,725,571

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9. Democratic Governors Association

Direct contributions: $747,900

Independent spending: $2,449,330

Lobbying: $0

Total: $3,197,230

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8. Operating Engineers Locals 825 and 68

Direct contributions: $1,861,524

Independent spending: $1,651,403

Lobbying: $36,000

Total: $4,328,863

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(Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media)

7. IBEW Affiliates

Direct contributions: $4,230,463

Independent spending: $0

Lobbying: $98,400

Total: $4,328,863

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6. Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters NJ PEC and affiliates

Direct contributions: $2,239,875

Independent spending: $3,043,832

Lobbying: $90,791

Total: $5,374,498

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5. Laborers Affiliates

Direct contributions: $3,348,300

Independent spending: $2,541,068

Lobbying: $9,034

Total: $5,898,402

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4. New Jerseyans for a Better Tomorrow

Super PAC tied to Senate Pesident Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester

Direct contributions: $0

Independent spending: $6,408,206

Lobbying: $0

Total: $6,408,206

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3. Committee to Build the Economy

A super PAC run by a Democratic political operative that backed Gov. Phil Murphy in his race against former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

Direct contributions: $0

Independent spending: $6,572,755

Lobbying: $0

Total: $6,572,755

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2. General Majority PAC

A super PAC with ties to south Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross III that backs Democrats for office

Direct contributions: $0

Independent spending: $6,965,848

Lobbying: $0

Total: $6,965,848

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Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com

1. New Jersey Education Association

Direct contributions: $951,605

Independent spending: $8,455,421

Lobbying: $512,656

Total: $9,919,682