Hunterdon County Campaign Manager Attempted Ballot Fraud in 2021 Election for NJ Governor

James J. Devine of Lambertville admits to submitting nearly 2,000 fraudulent petitions in an effort to place a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot.

James J. Devine, a 62-year-old campaign manager from Lambertville, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to attempting to fraudulently place a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot for the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race. The plea was entered on August 26, 2024, before Judge Robert E. Lytle in Mercer County Superior Court.

“For the public to have faith in our elections, it’s critical for law enforcement to ensure that efforts to tamper with them are investigated and prosecuted,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This defendant’s plea is a testament to my office’s commitment to fair elections and to holding bad actors accountable when they attempt to taint our democratic system.”

“The defendant in this case has now admitted to fraudulently trying to get a candidate on the primary ballot for governor,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. “Anyone who might try to cheat our democratic system should know: we will hold you accountable.”

Devine admitted to submitting approximately 1,948 fraudulent nominating petitions to the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Elections in April 2021. His actions were intended to secure a spot for his candidate in the June 8, 2021, Democratic primary. 

However, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee formally challenged the petitions, leading to an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). The irregularities were confirmed by Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin, who struck the candidate from the ballot on April 13, 2021.

As part of a plea agreement with OPIA, which is subject to court approval, Devine is expected to serve two years of probation. Sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 2024. The case was prosecuted by the OPIA Corruption Bureau, led by Deputy Attorney General Max Lesser, with supervision from Bureau Chief Jeff Manis and OPIA Executive Director Skinner.