Source: NC Newsline
North Carolina has a busy ballot this November, with candidates running for high-profile positions such as Labor Commissioner, State Superintendent, Attorney General, and Governor.
Candidates have been knocking on doors, giving public speeches, and holding fundraisers to bring awareness and support to their campaign. Though money doesn’t guarantee a win for the candidates, it certainly aids them in their cause. The recently released 2024 second-quarter campaign finance reports show that Democratic candidates are leading their Republican opponents in fundraising efforts up and down the ballot.
One of the most watched races in the state, which has also found itself in the national spotlight, is North Carolina’s governor’s race. Democratic candidate Josh Stein, the state’s attorney general, is up against Mark Robinson, the state’s lieutenant governor. Robinson broke the record for the amount of money a Republican candidate for governor has raised, raising $15.8 million in total with $5.07 million raised just this quarter.
However, he isn’t the only one setting records. Josh Stein raised $13.8 million this recent quarter, for a total of $32.9 million during his campaign for governor. Stein’s $32.9 million beats every Democratic and Republican candidate to campaign for North Carolina governor. With both candidates raising record amounts this has been the most expensive governor’s race in the state’s history.
Other races where Democrats are leading their Republican opponents in campaign finance earnings include:
Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Rachel Hunt raised $963,985 this quarter for a total of $1.9 million during her campaign. Her opponent, Republican candidate Hal Weatherman, raised $404,871 this quarter for a total of $929,847 during his entire campaign.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Democrat Mo Green has raised $667,132 this quarter for a total of $975,545. Meanwhile, his Republican candidate, Michele Morrow, raised $206,974 this quarter for a total of $255,293, nearly four times less than Green.
Insurance Commissioner: Democrat Natasha Marcus raised $281,092 in the 2nd quarter of 2024 for a total of $427,346. Republican Mike Causey, her opponent, raised $38,035, for a total of $228,662.
Not all Democrats on the ballot are out-raising their opponents during their campaign. Some have surpassed their Republican opponents in funds raised for the quarter but still are behind in overall fundraising. In the case of North Carolina’s Agriculture Commissioner’s race, Democrat Sarah Taber raised $165,180, this quarter beating Republican Steve Troxler’s $140,970 for the quarter. However, Troxler has raised a total of $335,916 while Taber has raised a total of $233,233.
The candidates running for the State Supreme Court seat are in a similar position. Supreme Court Justice Alison Riggs is running against Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin to keep her spot on the state’s highest court. Riggs raised $650,109 this quarter, beating Griffin’s $463,887. But Riggs falls short of Griffin in overall fundraising as she’s raised $1.11 million and Griffin’s campaign total comes to $1.36 million.
