Elections take shape with fundraising numbers

Published February 5, 2016

by Gary Robertson, Associated Press, published on WRAL.com, February 4, 2016.

North Carolina's March 15 primary and the November general election are taking shape as candidates and party committees disclosed financial reports over the past week as state and federal filing deadlines came and went.

Here is a glance at financial reports in the state's top races with figures from filed reports or the candidates:

U.S. SENATE

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem is on top of the fundraising chase, raising $818,000 in the three months ending Dec. 31 and having $5.3 million on hand entering 2016.

GOP primary rival Greg Brannon of Cary got in the race in late December. His campaign had not released year-end contribution totals by Thursday, but a spokesman said he had more than 800 donations. Other Republican candidates are Larry Holmquist of Greensboro, who raised $4,200, and Paul Wright of Mount Olive, who didn't respond immediately Thursday to a phone message.

Among Democrats, former state Rep. Deborah Ross of Raleigh said she raised $586,000 and had more than $452,000 in the bank. Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey's campaign report said he raised $47,400 but had only $3,500 in the bank of Jan. 1. And nearly all of the $12,100 in receipts for Durham business owner Kevin Griffin's campaign came from loans from the candidate, according to his report summary.

Ernest Reeves of Greenville didn't immediately return a phone call Thursday.

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CONGRESS

Republican challengers to U.S. Reps. Renee Ellmers of Dunn and Walter Jones Jr. of Greenville are financially competitive with the incumbents.

In the 2nd District, Ellmers raised $175,000 in the fourth quarter and had $415,000 in cash, while challenger Jim Duncan reported $100,000 in donations and $212,000 on hand. Tim D'Annunzio's campaign report showed D'Annunzio, paying personally for $158,000 in campaign expenses. Frank Roche, who lost to Ellmers in the 2014 primary, had $10,000 on hand.

Jones, from the 3rd District, got outraised in the fourth quarter by 2014 GOP challenger Taylor Griffin but still had a slight cash advantage ($165,000 to $152,000). Another Jones challenger, Phil Law, reported almost $38,000 in the bank.

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GOVERNOR

As reported last week, Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper ($2.9 million) outraised Republican Gov. Pat McCrory ($2.6 million) during the second half of 2015, marking the second reporting period in which Cooper bested the incumbent. Cooper also had $800,000 more in cash on hand with the new year.

Both candidates had overwhelming financial advantages over their primary opponents. Democrat Ken Spaulding raised $22,000 and had $26,000 in cash. Republican Robert Brawley reported $46,000 in donations, with $40,000 coming from his own pocket. Another Republican, Charles Kenneth Moss of Randleman, reported $1,424 to pay the filing fee.

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COUNCIL OF STATE

Democratic state Sen.  of Raleigh, who wants to succeed Cooper as attorney general, took in $503,000 for the second half of 2015 and had nearly $1.5 million in his campaign coffers. Primary opponent Marcus Williams reported $2,100 in in-kind contributions.

In the Republican primary for attorney general, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill raised $187,000 and had $230,000 in his campaign coffers. State Sen.  of Wilson raised $153,000 and had $167,000 in cash.

For lieutenant governor, Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones ($191,000) outraised former state Rep. Linda Coleman of Knightdale ($107,000) for the Democratic nomination. Coleman, the party's 2012 nominee, entered the 2016 race earlier and has raised slightly more overall than Jones. Democrats Ronald Newton and Robert Wilson each raised less than $20,000 each overall. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who faces no primary opposition, raised $248,000 in the second half of 2015 and had $316,000 in cash.

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LEGISLATURE

The campaign committees of House Speaker  and Senate leader  led their respective GOP General Assembly colleagues in fundraising. Moore, R-Cleveland, raised $451,000 in the second half of the year while Berger, R-Rockingham, raised $392,000. Both campaigns had about $900,000. Legislative leaders traditionally have raised money to funnel to other General Assembly candidates.

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PARTIES

Although the state Republican Party outraised the state Democratic Party by $181,000 in the second half of the year, state Democrats are continuing to rebound from poor fundraising from earlier this decade. The Democratic Party had twice as much cash on hand ($540,000) compared with the GOP ($261,000).

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