Statewide, records released by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission show that as of Oct. 6, Democratic candidates raised $11.6 million, about 35 percent more than the $8.6 million raised by Republicans.

A fuller picture of overall fund-raising will emerge next week when state party and legislative leadership political action committees disclose their campaign reports. Democratic committees held a fund-raising edge of nearly three-to-one in June.

All 120 seats in the state Legislature are up for grabs Nov. 4. Democrats control the state Assembly and both parties share power in the Senate with 20 seats each.

"For us, the bottom line is that we will very actively work to ensure that we have the resources we need to communicate our message with voters on issues such as education, the environment, and a return to fiscal responsibility after ten years of Republican recklessness," said Adam Green, spokesman for the Democratic State Committee.

Jeannette Issenman, executive director of the Republican State Committee, said Democrats need more money because Gov. James E. McGreevey's unpopularity is dragging them down.

"Too bad they can't buy themselves a new governor," Issenman said. "Democrats are going to need to spend a lot of money to try to distance themselves from Jim McGreevey and try to overcome the terrible environment for Democrats this year."

Much of the campaign cash is being raised for swing districts where both parties believe they can make gains.

One of the most closely watched and most expensive races is in the 4th Legislative District, which includes parts of Camden and Gloucester counties. With the help of big donations from the Assembly Democrats' and Camden County Democrats' campaign funds, Senate challenger Fred Madden and his two Assembly running mates have raised $1.4 million -- more than any other legislative fund-raising committee. Incumbent Sen. George Geist (R-Camden), and his running mates have raised just $203,858. Polls indicate Geist, a veteran GOP lawmaker, has a substantial lead over Madden, former acting superintendent of the State Police.

Madden received $500,417 from Camden County Democrats, plus another $475,000 from Assembly Democrats. The Democratic State Committee gave $87,750. Geist's biggest donation -- $26,114 -- came from the Senate Republican Majority.

In another key race, in the 12th District covering parts of Monmouth and Mercer counties, Democratic contender Ellen Karcher, the Marlboro Township council president, has raised $577,680 in her attempt to unseat Senate co-President John Bennett (R-Monmouth). Bennett has collected $326,879 from contributors.

Karcher's biggest donation -- $210,947 -- came from the Senate Democratic Majority. The Democratic State Committee has given her $112,593. Several Democratic state senators, and Reps. Rush Holt (D-12th Dist.), Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) and Steven Rothman (D-9th Dist.) also sent checks.

Karcher's spokeswoman, Julie Roginsky, said the donations are "an indication that Ellen Karcher's message of open space, strong ethics and fiscal stability is resonating." Conor Fennessy, Bennett's campaign manager, said contributions are more about Democrats' attempt to win a majority in the state Senate than the quality of Karcher's candidacy.

"Democrats across the state are supporting her in an all-out effort to get 21 votes for Jim McGreevey," Fennessy said.

The biggest Republican fund-raiser was Sen. William Gormley (D-Atlantic), who has raised $972,367 for the general election and reported $811,718 in reserve.

State Democrats privately have said they hope to wage a serious campaign within Gormley's district to prevent him from sharing his huge war chest with other Republican senators. So far, however, Gormley's Democratic opponent Tom Swift isn't getting much help from fellow Democrats. He has spent $41,739 and has a balance of $58,029.

Issenman said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will visit Oct. 28 to help Republicans raise cash for the final election push. "Our candidates are going to have all the resources they need to be competitive, especially in key areas in the state," Issenman said.