Katherine Zehnder
Carolina Journal
Campaign finance reports are coming in for the third quarter, and the numbers show Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein’s campaign for governor is trouncing Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s respective campaign in terms of fundraising.
According to the latest report, the Stein campaign took in more than $77.5 million and spent $76.6 million, while the Robinson Campaign took in more than $19.8 million and spent $19.2 million. Both candidates were far ahead of Green Party candidate Wayne Turner, who took in roughly $1800 and spent approximately $1500. The latest poll results reflect that fundraising is not the only place where Stein is enjoying an advantage, leading Robinson in the polls by a double digit margin.
According to the latest Carolina Journal poll Stein holds 43.4%, with Robinson at 28.9%.
“The Democratic Leadership Committee has contributed more than $29 million to the Stein campaign to help bolster his campaign and help give Stein a record-breaking fundraising haul to move nearly $12 million into the State Democratic Party account,” Jim Stirling, a research fellow at the John Locke Foundation told the Carolina Journal.
Sen. Rachel Hunt, D-Mecklenburg, took in $3.4 million, and spent $2.6 million, in the race for lieutenant governor; while Republican candidate Hal Weatherman took in $1.6 million and spent $1.4 million.
In the race for state attorney general, Congressman Jeff Jackson, D-14, took in $15.4 million in the attorney general’s race and spent $12.8 million, of which $3.3 million came from the Democratic Leadership Committee. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Congressman Dan Bishop, R-08 took in $8.9 million and spent $7.3 million.
Natasha Marcus, Democratic candidate in the race for Commissioner of Insurance, took in $744,904 and spent $467,956, while incumbent Commissioner, Republican Mike Causey raised $442,535 and spent $279,705.
In the contest for superintendent of public instruction, Democrat Mo Green took in $2.9 million and spent $2.6 million, and Republican Michele Morrow raised $370,965 and spent $336,872.
“While it’s very common for Democrats to have a fundraising advantage against Republicans, we typically see this advantage through individuals’ contributions, in part due to the success of Democrats’ fundraising program ‘ActBlue,’ that is only partially why Democrats are seeing a major financial advantage,” said Stirling. “What stands out most in these third-quarter reports is the exorbitant amount of money that is coming in from Democrat political party committees, mainly the North Carolina Democratic Leadership Committee. This political party account, run by Nexus Strategies partner Scott Falmlen, is one of the main reasons Democrat Council of State members have the financial advantage that they do.”
In the race for the position of Commissioner of Agriculture, reports show Republican Commissioner Steve Troxler took in $798,418 and spent $779,375, whereas Democrat Sarah Taber raised $496,489 and spent $412,399.
Republican Dave Boliek, in the race for state auditor, raised $1.5 million and spent $1.4 million, while Democrat Auditor Jessica Holmes took in $369,019 and spent $312,882. Libertarian candidate Bob Drach took in $24,654 and spent $22,836.
In the state treasurer’s race, Republican Brad Briner raised $1.8 million and spent $1.7 million. While Democrat Wesley Harris took in $1.3 million and spent $1.1 million.
Democrat Justice Allison Riggs took in $4.5 million and spent $3.3 million in the Supreme Court, and Republican Jefferson Griffin took in $1.9 million and spent $1.4 million.
“It’s important to note political party committees are not subject to contribution limits,” clarified Stirling. “This financial set up is why Republicans made changes to the state law to ‘even the playing field’ when it came to fundraising.”
For more on the latest campaign finance reports, follow Jim Stirling, research fellow for the John Locke Foundation, on X.
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