As election day approaches on November 5th, Democrats are outperforming Republicans in fundraising for statewide elections across North Carolina. These races, which encompass the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and labor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction positions, are often referred to as the Council of State election races.
In the second quarter of 2021, Democrats concluded the period with more cash than their Republican opponents in six out of ten elections, according to campaign finance reports. In the governor’s race, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein raised significantly more money for his campaign than Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Stein spent $10.6 million and raised $13 million from individuals, ending with $15.9 million in the bank. Meanwhile, Robinson spent $3 million, raised $4.5 million from individuals, and ended with $6.6 million.
Rachel Hunt is also enjoying a successful campaign as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. She finished the period with over $1 million, while her Republican opponent Hal Weatherman had only $113,000. Hunt raised $888,000 in individual donations, whereas Weatherman brought in $390,000 and spent $350,000.
In the heated race for attorney general, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson had more funds than Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop at the end of the period. Jackson ended with $5.7 million in the bank, compared to Bishop’s $2.7 million. During the second quarter, Jackson raised $3.7 million from individuals, while Bishop brought in $1.2 million from individual donors.
Republican Steve Troxler, who is seeking a sixth consecutive four-year term as agriculture commissioner, managed to secure more funding than his Democratic opponent Sarah Taber, even though she raised more money. Troxler ended the period with $191,000, while Taber had $101,000; they raised $140,000 and $142,000, respectively.
In the insurance commissioner race, Democratic state Sen. Natasha Marcus raised $257,000, ending June with $412,000 on hand. Incumbent Republican Mike Causey raised only $31,000 and ended with $44,000.
Braxton Winston II went unchallenged in the Democratic primary for labor commissioner, yet still spent $81,000 over the spring. He finished the period with just $52,000, while his Republican opponent Luke Farley ended it with $134,000.
In the secretary of state race, incumbent Democrat Elaine Marshall – the first woman elected to statewide office and seeking her eighth consecutive four-year term – had nearly 10 times more money than her Republican opponent Chad Brown at the end of the period. Marshall raised $261,000, accumulating $335,000 by June 30, while Brown raised only $26,000 and ended with $40,000.
Republican Dave Boliek spent over half a million dollars in the second quarter to win the Republican primary for state auditor but finished with only $62,000 on hand compared to Democrat Jessica Holmes’ $113,000.
Holmes was appointed to the post by Governor Roy Cooper in December. In this race, Boliek raised $419,000 from individuals, while Holmes brought in $103,000.
In the state treasurer race, Republicans took a lead with Brad Briner ending with just over half a million dollars at $503,000. Wesley Harris, the Democrat on the ticket, finished with $275,000. He raised $381,000 from individuals, while Briner brought in significantly less at $272,000.
Lastly, Democrat Mo Green is raking in donations for North Carolina’s election race for superintendent of public instruction. He ended the quarter with $578,384, raising just over $600,000, while Republican opponent Michele Morrow had only $14,000 left and brought in $45,000.
