Stein, Robinson raise millions in NC governor’s race as Democrat holds fundraising lead

Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein (L) has thus far raised significantly more in campaign contributions than his Republican opponent in the fall gubernatorial race, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) (File photos)

The election for governor in North Carolina is garnering millions in donations and spending — but in recent months, Attorney General Josh Stein has hauled in significantly more money than Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in one of the most closely-watched races this cycle.

Fundraising is happening in full force down the ballot, too, as well-financed contests develop for lieutenant governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and more.

Stein, a Democrat, raised $13,792,245 in the quarter spanning February 18 through June 30. That’s by far the most of any North Carolina state-level candidate in that time, as Democrats aim to maintain control of the office.

The campaign spent heavily in recent months, to the tune of $10,591,788. Heading into July, Stein’s campaign has $15,913,586 on hand.

“Headed into the final four months of this campaign, our supporters have put us in a strong position to underscore the clear choice facing voters in this election: Josh Stein, who will fight and deliver for North Carolinians, or Mark Robinson, who would fight job-killing culture wars,” Stein’s campaign manager Jeff Allen said in a statement.

Robinson, a Republican, trails Stein with a haul of $5,074,498 in that same four-month period. His campaign spent $2,977,283 during that timeframe and heads into July with $6,560,597 in the bank.

“Thanks to this record-setting fundraising, we’re on the air with not one but two TV ads to introduce our candidate to the voters,” senior advisor and general consultant Conrad Pogorzelski, III said in a statement. “And as the most well-funded Republican governor candidate in North Carolina history, Mark Robinson is well-positioned to make his case directly to the voters down the stretch and win in November.”

The race to succeed Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, is expected to be one of the most expensive in North Carolina history and will likely also draw significant outside spending.

Stein’s campaign has raised a total of $32.9 million thus far in the cycle; Robinson’s has raised just shy of $15.8 million.

Despite the race having garnered national attention, the majority of funding for both campaigns continues to come from in-state. Stein received $4.6 million in donations from those whose addresses are listed outside of North Carolina; Robinson received $850,726.

Money alone can’t win a race, but campaign filings can provide insight into which candidates are attracting buzz and support among their respective party donors in the lead-up to November.

Democrat Hunt outraises GOP’s Weatherman in lieutenant governor race

The Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor more than doubled the amount raised by her Republican opponent in recent months.

Sen. Rachel Hunt has raised $963,985 since February, compared to $404,871 raised by GOP nominee Hal Weatherman.

Weatherman outspent Hunt during that period, spending $349,659 to Hunt’s $293,222. The Democrat heads into July with just over $1 million in the bank, compared to Weatherman’s $113,854.

Bishop has millions heading into AG matchup with Jackson

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, who is running for attorney general, raised $1,423,496 last quarter, and has $2,651,524 on hand.

He faces Democrat U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, whose campaign has not filed a report with the Board of Elections as of Tuesday afternoon.

Mo Green more than triples Michele Morrow’s fundraising total in superintendent contest

Mo Green, a Democrat, raised more than three times as much as Republican Michele Morrow in the race to oversee public education in North Carolina.

Green raised $667,132 from February through the end of June. Morrow, who narrowly defeated the sitting superintendent Catherine Truitt in a Republican primary, raised $206,974.

Morrow ends the fundraising quarter with $50,661 on hand, while Green holds $578,384.

GOP nominee for auditor raises and spends big through primary

Dave Boliek, a Republican running for state auditor, spent more than half a million dollars in recent months as he won a contested primary to face Democratic incumbent Jessica Holmes.

Boliek has $62,474 on hand. Holmes raised $134,259 and has $112,509.

Republican holds slight fundraising edge in open treasurer’s race

The contest to succeed Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican, has well-financed candidates on both sides of the aisle.

Republican Brad Briner raised $544,078 and has $503,091 on hand. And Democrat Wesley Harris raised $418,411 and has $274,586 on hand.

Democratic senator amasses war chest as she seeks insurance post

Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Democrat, raised $281,092 in recent months as she challenges Republican Mike Causey to be Commissioner of Insurance.

Causey raised $38,035 and has $43,812 on hand; he slightly outspent Marcus over the last four months.

Incumbents leading money races for several offices

In several other statewide races, incumbents hold comfortable fundraising leads over their challengers.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, a Democrat, raised $298,483 and has $335,185 on hand. Her Republican challenger Chad Brown raised $36,425 and has $39,932 on hand.

And Steve Troxler, the Commissioner of Agriculture, raised $140,970 and has $191,490 heading into July. Sarah Taber, his Democratic opponent, raised $12,182 and has $101,454 on hand.

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