Major Donor to Jack Ciattarelli Sued Over Rent-Hike Algorithm Amid Housing Crisis in New Jersey

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By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: Bloomfield, NJ — A growing controversy is casting a shadow over Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli as new reports link his campaign’s largest donor, the Kurtz family, to a rent-hike lawsuit affecting thousands of New Jersey renters. The donor’s  company, Kamson Corporation, is accused of using a rent-setting algorithm developed by RealPage Inc. to artificially inflate rental prices—placing pressure on New Jersey’s already strained housing market.

According to Gothamist, Kamson Corporation is one of several firms named in a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General for allegedly colluding to drive up rent prices. The company, which owns over 10,000 rental units across New Jersey, has also faced state fines and scrutiny following a tragic fire in 2023 that claimed the lives of two children in a South Jersey complex managed by Kamson.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: Jack Ciattarelli Campaigns Alongside Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy Theorists

The connections raise red flags for housing advocates and voters alike, especially as affordability remains a top issue in this year’s gubernatorial race. Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill has pledged to tackle negligent landlords and crack down on manipulative rent practices. “Jack Ciattarelli’s biggest donor is being sued for using an algorithm to jack up rents. And we’re supposed to believe he’ll fight for affordability?” Sherrill asked during a recent debate.

Campaign finance records reveal that members of the Kurtz family have donated over $750,000 to Ciattarelli’s campaigns since 2021, including large contributions to political action committees running negative ads against Sherrill.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: Jack Ciattarelli Walked Away While the Jersey Shore Was Drowning — Now He Wants Your Vote

Experts like Micah Rasmussen of Rider University say the contrast is clear: “If one candidate is addressing these market failures and the other isn’t, voters should take note and ask why.”

The Kurtz family has also opposed rent control legislation and measures to restrict the use of rent-setting software, signaling deeper involvement in policies that affect more than 1.2 million renters in the state.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: ICYMI: Mikie Sherrill Touts Strong Support for Labor, Slams Ciattarelli’s Anti-Worker Record

As the election draws closer, housing policy—and who funds it—may very well define the outcome.

Also Read more from this Author: Jack Ciattarelli Campaigns Alongside Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy Theorists

Curated by Humra Kidwai

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