Post-primary campaign finance update

Thanks for joining us this morning. We’re almost three weeks removed the primary, and campaign organizations around the state are gearing up for the general election push. We thought it an opportune time to check in on the resources available to each statewide candidate. 
 
Notably, candidates were last required to report their cash on hand as of mid-February, about two weeks before the primary. They won’t need to report that data again until the end of June. Even so, a candidate’s financial standing near primary day is a good data point, along with total raised this cycle to compare to their general election opponent (with some exceptions, of course).
 
With that, we’ll get right to it. Let’s look at total raised this cycle, and available cash on hand. 
 
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The below offers total fundraising hauls for every Council of State race, plus the affiliated party committees. Outside funding will almost certainly impact the major races, especially the race for governor.
 
Governor
Democrat: Josh Stein: Total raised- $19,117,064. Cash on hand- $12,712,409. 
Republican: Mark Robinson: Total raised- $10,682,521.96. Cash on hand- $4,463,382.



Lt. Governor*
Democrat: Rachel Hunt: Total raised- $963,349. Cash on hand- $404,417. 
Republican: Hal Weatherman: Total raised- $524,976. Cash on hand- $58,643. 
Republican: Jim O’Neill: Total raised- $214,800. Cash on hand- $61,671. 

*The Republican primary will go to a runoff in May
 
Attorney General
Democrat: Jeff Jackson: Total raised- $2,973,753. Cash on hand- $2,394,850. 
Republican: Dan Bishop: Total raised- $1,555,998. Cash on hand- $1,453,884. 


Treasurer
Democrat: Wesley Harris- Total raised- $400,991. Cash on hand- $50,218. 
Republican: Brad Briner- Total raised- $888,280. Cash on hand- $249,076. 

Superintendent of Public Instruction
Democrat: Mo Green: Total raised- $308,412. Cash on hand- $142,062. 
Republican: Michele Morrow: Total raised-$37,764. Cash on hand- $12,420. 


Labor Commissioner
Democrat: Braxton Winston: Total raised- $151,332. Cash on hand- $18,227.**
Republican: Luke Farley: Total raised- $185,008. Cash on hand- $116,745. 

*Braxton Winston’s reported fundraising totals are unclear. It appears he is attempting to merge his local election account with his state account’s funds. 
 
Insurance Commissioner
Democrat: Natasha Marcus: Total raised- $146,253. Cash on hand- $211,567. 
Republican: Mike Causey: Total raised- $190,627. Cash on hand- $97,442. 


Agriculture Commissioner
Democrat: Sarah Taber: Total raised- $68,053. Cash on hand $12,183. 
Republican: Steve Troxler: Total raised- $194,946. Cash on hand $101,190. 


Secretary of State
Democrat: Elaine Marshall: Total raised- $181,945. Cash on hand- $117,341. 
Republican: Chad Brown: Total raised- $57,774. Cash on hand- $14,186. 


Auditor
Democrat: Jessica Holmes: Total raised- $43,231. Cash on hand- $41,112. 
Republican: Dave Boliek: Total raised- $531,558. Cash on hand- $387,458. 
Republican: Jack Clark: Total raised- $18,736. Cash on hand- $10,026. 


Affiliated Committees
NC Democratic Party: Total raised- $2,549,412. Cash on hand- $1,799,167
North Carolina Republican Party: Total Raised – $1,842,189. Cash on Hand- $449,162

*House Republicans are in the process of transition leadership. The next likely Speaker, Rep. Destin Hall, made headlines with a record-breaking fundraising haul, which will mostly be used to help Republicans in target races.