The New Jersey gubernatorial race has intensified as Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill highlighted Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli's financial ties to a prominent real estate family. The family's company is currently facing a state lawsuit alleging it used a software algorithm to artificially inflate rental prices for thousands of tenants.
During a recent debate, Sherrill drew attention to the significant campaign contributions from the Kurtz family, whose Kamson Corporation is one of several firms sued by New Jersey's Attorney General. The lawsuit claims these companies colluded to drive up rents, a charge the companies deny.
Key Takeaways
- Republican Jack Ciattarelli's campaign has received over $750,000 since 2021 from the Kurtz family, a major New Jersey landlord.
- The Kurtz family's company, Kamson Corporation, is being sued by the state for allegedly using a price-setting algorithm to inflate rents.
- Democrat Mikie Sherrill has made the issue a central point of attack, questioning Ciattarelli's ability to address housing affordability.
- Kamson Corporation has also faced scrutiny over safety violations at one of its properties where a fatal fire occurred in 2023.
Debate Focuses on Housing Affordability
During a Sunday debate, an audience question about New Jersey's soaring rental costs prompted a sharp exchange between the candidates. Mikie Sherrill used the opportunity to question Jack Ciattarelli's commitment to lowering rents by pointing to his top donors.
"We know Jack's not going to do anything about it because one of his biggest donors is actually being taken to court and sued on this very issue," Sherrill stated on the debate stage.
While she did not name the donor, her comments referred to the Kurtz family and their company, Kamson Corporation. The company, which manages over 10,000 apartment units in the state, is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Matthew Platkin in April.
The State's Lawsuit Against RealPage and Landlords
The lawsuit accuses Kamson Corporation, along with nine other real estate firms and software company RealPage Inc., of operating like a cartel. The Attorney General's office argues that their use of RealPage's algorithm constituted illegal collusion to systematically increase rent prices across New Jersey.
What is Rent-Setting Software?
Software like RealPage's YieldStar analyzes vast amounts of market data, including competitors' prices, to recommend daily rent adjustments for vacant units. Critics and regulators allege this can lead to anti-competitive behavior by discouraging negotiation and promoting uniformly high prices across a market, effectively eliminating natural competition.
The companies involved are actively fighting the lawsuit. In July, they filed a motion to dismiss the case, calling the state's claims "baseless." RealPage has previously stated its software is legally compliant. Jeff Kurtz, president of Kamson Corporation, defended the practice, telling Gothamist, "We'll fight the lawsuit. We feel we're completely in the right using their product."
Following the Money: Campaign Contributions Examined
Affordability is a critical issue for the state's 1.2 million renter households, making the financial connections between candidates and landlords a significant political topic. Campaign finance records show the Kurtz family has been a substantial financial backer of Ciattarelli.
Donations to Ciattarelli and Affiliated PACs
- Total Support: Over $750,000 since 2021.
- Richard Kurtz (Patriarch): $4,900 in personal donations and $737,500 to two pro-Ciattarelli PACs.
- Jeff Kurtz (President): $16,500 since 2021.
- Sharon Kurtz (Jeff's wife): $5,800 in 2024.
These contributions include a recent $200,000 donation in June to a political action committee that is currently running advertisements critical of Sherrill. Political analysts suggest this relationship could pose a challenge for Ciattarelli.
"One of the ways that you judge a candidate is by the company they keep," said Matt Hale, an associate professor of political science at Seton Hall University. He noted that voters might perceive this as Ciattarelli being aligned with wealthy interests over those of average renters.
Both Campaigns Receive Real Estate Funds
While Ciattarelli has received more, Sherrill's campaign has also accepted money from the real estate sector. Records show her campaign received over $100,000 this year from industry donors. This includes maximum contributions from developers Steven Plofker and Chris Yegen.
Jeff Kurtz stated the family's support for Ciattarelli is based on their belief that he is the best candidate to lead the state. "The people of New Jersey are important to us... we back who we believe is the best person to be in charge of our state," he said, while not ruling out a potential shift in their support.
Landlord's Safety Record Under Scrutiny
Beyond the rent-setting lawsuit, Kamson Corporation has also faced regulatory issues concerning property safety. A tragic fire in May 2023 at the company's Fox Meadow complex in Maple Shade resulted in the deaths of two young children and damaged over a dozen apartments.
A subsequent routine inspection by the state's Department of Community Affairs in October 2024 uncovered 1,044 violations at the property. The report highlighted 287 issues classified as "life safety" problems, with 276 of those related to missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in apartments and common hallways.
Jeff Kurtz responded that the company installs working detectors before tenants move in but claimed residents often remove them. "Health and welfare of a resident for us is most important. It's paramount to everything else," he said.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Community Affairs, a follow-up inspection in August 2025 found that all violations had been corrected. State records show Kamson has paid $21,250 in fines for property violations at the Fox Meadow complex since 2022.
Differing Approaches to Housing Policy
The controversy highlights the candidates' distinct strategies for addressing New Jersey's affordability crisis. Ciattarelli's platform has largely centered on reducing property taxes and energy costs, which he argues will provide relief for both homeowners and landlords.
Sherrill, in contrast, has adopted a more direct approach toward the rental market. She has pledged to increase oversight of landlords and take action against practices like algorithmic price-setting identified in the Attorney General's lawsuit.
Micah Rasmussen, director of Rider University's Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, commented on the differing approaches. "If one candidate is addressing these marketplace failures and the need to fix the rental marketplace and one candidate isn't, then you need to take note of that as a voter," Rasmussen said. "And you also need to ask yourself why."
