U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett is the state's most vulnerable member of Congress.
WASHINGTON -- The Allstate Insurance Co. political action committee contributed $1,500 in November to U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett's re-election campaign. PNC Bank's PAC gave $3.000 a month earlier.
That donations helped Garrett build a bank account balance of $2.4 million as he entered 2016 as New Jersey's most vulnerable House incumbent, in part a response to reported comments that he would not back the House Republicans' fundraising arm because it supported gay candidates.
State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) is once again pressing for the financial industry to stop helping bankroll Garrett's campaign.
Weinberg sent a letter this month to the chief executives of Allstate, PNC and five other companies asking them to stop writing PAC checks to the the House Financial Services subcommittee chairman.
"In lieu of all of the stories and coverage about this issue, I can only interpret your continued support of Congressman Garrett as an endorsement of his views" concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals, Weinberg wrote.
"This is certainly disappointing. It sends a very clear and sharp message to your employees and customers."
Weinberg in October asked executives of 12 financial firms whose PACs have backed Garrett to cut off their support to him.
"Perhaps Senator Weinberg should spend less time with tired political stunts from last summer and more time worrying about her constituents and the problems in Trenton," the Garrett campaign said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that Democrats in the state continue to attack Congressman Garrett on decisions related to marriage that are based on his faith, but he appreciates the continued support of those who are sick of business as usual in Washington."
Allstate and PNC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Garrett faces former White House speechwriter Josh Gottheimer, who already has banked $1.3 million, this fall. Gottheimer, who served in the administration of President Bill Clinton, is one of 16 challengers singled out for support by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.