The New Jersey Election Commission (ELEC) is out with its annual lobbying report.

In 2024, lobbyists in the Garden State spent $103 million on their efforts, up 4.1% from 2023.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• Communication spending dropped to $3.3 million down 7%
• Number of lobbyists rose from 892 to 908 up 1.8%
• For the seventh straight year, the number of clients rose to a new high – 2,530 up 4.1%
• Receipts paid to governmental affairs agents rose to $79.4 million up 10 %
• Top special interest spenders
  • Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative: $833,169 up 3%
  • Verizon: $753,036 up 109%
  • Chemistry Council of NJ (includes State Street Associates): $673,765 down 1%

• Top policy issues that drew attention of lobbyists
  • Fiscal Year 2025 state budget (Assembly Bill 4700/Senate Bill 2025): 788 official contacts
  • Legislation to overhaul state public records law (A4045/S2930): 159 official contacts
  • Legislation to establish occupational heat stress standard and “Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program” (A3521/S2422): 128 official contacts

• Top sectors for lobbying spend
  • Health care: $18.5 million up 18%
  • Business – miscellaneous: $11.8 million up 11%
  • Development: $7.8 million up 8%

• Top multi-client lobbying firms by 2024 receipts
  • Princeton Public Affairs Group Inc: $10.9 million
  • Public Strategies Impact LLC: $8.2 million
  • CLB Partners Inc: $6 million

Leading the way

This marked the 22nd year in a row that PPAG ranked as the top lobbying firm.

“Once again, we are fortunate enough to be recognized as the market leader according to the official ELEC lobbying results for 2024,” the firm said in a statement. “With a diverse, bi-partisan collection of professionals, PPAG serves as the center of the Winning Circle of Companies, a unique group of talented professionals comprising Winning Strategies Washington (WSW), a federal government affairs firm, and Princeton Strategic Communications (PSC), an award-winning communications team specializing in marketing and crisis communication.

“Many thanks to our clients, past and present, for their partnership with us since 1987 – and for making us New Jersey’s top lobbying firm for the 22nd year in a row.”

Once again, we’re fortunate enough to be recognized as the market leader according to the ELEC lobbying results for 2024. Many thanks to our clients, past and present, for their partnership with us since 1987 & for making us NJ’s top lobbying firm for the 22nd year in a row. pic.twitter.com/63gLDmSBWF

— PPAG (@PPAGInc) March 20, 2025

Gibbons PC, which reported $3.7 million in receipts, ranked as the top lawyer-lobbying firm (for the 17th year in a row), as well as the sixth overall in New Jersey.

“Since 2002, we have consistently provided creative and strategic solutions to our clients who face legislative and regulatory challenges that impact their bottom lines,” said David Pascrell, chair and co-founder of the Government & Regulatory Affairs Group.

“Whether we are engaged with the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, or one of the departments or agencies of the State, we continue to adapt to the ever-changing political landscape in New Jersey while building on our experience in achieving client wins. It has been and continues to be rewarding work, and I speak on behalf of our entire team in expressing gratitude for remaining at a high level for so long in a very competitive environment.”

The full report can be viewed here.