New Jersey election law officials ruled Monday that Republican Jack Ciattarelli can spend his own money to sue his opponent Democrat Mikie Sherrill over allegations of defamation without running afoul of the state’s campaign finance law.

The ruling by the New Jersey Election Law Commission gives Ciattarelli the green light to file his suit this week ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.

Ciattarelli’s campaign attorney, Mark Sheridan, attended the hearing Monday and addressed the commission, calling Ciattarelli’s matter before the commission “a relatively straightforward request.”

“Mr. Ciattarelli  believes that he was defamed during the gubernatorial debate. He seeks to pursue that claim for defamation against Mikie Sherrill,” Sheridan said. “He does not intend to use any campaign funds or a

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