Trenton, NJ – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea is facing mounting criticism for his refusal to return $225,000 in donations from his Common Sense Club, a ‘non-profit’ and ‘non-political-action-committee’, which he paid to himself through his LLC, BillSpadea.Com LLC.
The payments, drawn from funds contributed by small-dollar donors, have sparked accusations of self-dealing and betrayal, with critics demanding Spadea return the money to support the conservative causes it was intended for.
The controversy, first reported by Shore News Network on April 10, revealed that Spadea, a former New Jersey 101.5 radio host, funneled $225,000 from the Common Sense Club to his personal LLC.
Many of the PAC’s donors, primarily retirees and Trump supporters, believed their contributions—some as small as $10—were supporting a broader conservative movement aligned with former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Instead, a significant portion of the funds ended up in Spadea’s pocket, prompting outrage among supporters and political rivals alike.
“It’s a betrayal of trust,” said a retired donor from Toms River who contributed $200 to the Common Sense Club. “I thought my money was going to help elect Republicans, not pay for Spadea’s personal expenses.”
He is among many who have canceled their subscriptions to the PAC and are demanding refunds.
Spadea and the Common Sense Club have defended the payments, arguing they were legitimate “sponsorship fees” for podcast production and occurred before Spadea officially announced his gubernatorial candidacy in June 2024.
In a statement, the PAC called the criticism a “politically motivated smear campaign” and emphasized its compliance with New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) disclosure requirements. However, the defense has done little to quell public anger, with many donors feeling misled about the PAC’s intentions.
Rival candidate Jack Ciattarelli has seized on the issue, accusing Spadea of exploiting small-dollar donors.
“This is opportunism, not leadership,” Ciattarelli said, alleging the total payments to Spadea could exceed $250,000 when including additional reimbursements.
Ciattarelli’s campaign has called for Spadea to return the funds to the Common Sense Club’s campaign coffers to support Republican candidates.
Despite the backlash, Spadea has shown no intention of returning the $225,000. In a recent statement, he compared his political activities to running a for-profit business, suggesting that his efforts warranted financial compensation. “I’ve built a movement with 152,000 members,” Spadea said, referring to the Common Sense Club’s reported membership. “That takes time and resources.”
Spadea has also noted that he is owed even more money by the club when it was mentioned in candidate debate earlier this year.
Critics, including Ciattarelli, have pointed out that the Common Sense Club is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit, not a business, and should prioritize its stated mission over personal enrichment.
The controversy has also raised questions about Spadea’s fundraising tactics. A POLITICO report highlighted confusion among some out-of-state donors who were unaware they had contributed to Spadea’s PAC, believing their donations supported Trump’s campaign.
Laurie Daiger, a 73-year-old from Washington state, discovered she had donated over $1,000 to Elect Common Sense, a related PAC, without realizing it. “I only remember donating to Trump,” Daiger said, prompting her to cancel her credit card.
As the June 2025 Republican primary approaches, the scandal threatens to undermine Spadea’s campaign.
Political analysts suggest the controversy could alienate his base, particularly grassroots conservatives who value transparency. His large paycheck from the non-profit has many wondering if he’s sincere about his conservative grass roots campaign, or if it’s just a grift to enrich the now out-of-work former radio host.
Calls for accountability continue to grow, with posts on X echoing the sentiment that Spadea should return the funds.
One user wrote, “It’s not too late for Bill Spadea to do the right thing and give back the $225,000 he took from donors!”
Yet, with Spadea doubling down on his defense, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.