A look at N.C. gubernatorial primary campaign finances with early voting underway

As the primary elections for the governor's race approach, candidates have been campaigning across North Carolina.

The gubernatorial campaign finances, which disclose how much money the candidates have been using on their campaigns, as well as who has contributed, were filed on Jan. 26.

The following figures reflect the filing period that began on July 1, 2023 and ended on Dec. 31. The next round of reports, which covers contributions from the beginning of the year to Feb. 17, are due on Feb. 27.

North Carolina will hold primary elections for the gubernatorial race on March 5, and the general election will be held on Nov. 5. Early voting for the primary is underway.

Democrats

Josh Stein, the state's attorney general and the front-runner in the Democratic primary for governor, has raised the greatest amount among the Democratic candidates. As of Jan. 26, he has raised more than $5.7 million and spent nearly $2.5 million.

Stein’s greatest funding source has been individual contributions, totaling $5,266,085. So far, the majority of his spending has been on operating expenditures, totaling $2,092,881.

Mike Morgan, another Democratic candidate and a former member of the N.C. Supreme Court, has raised $119,296 and spent $87,199. He also received $10,859 in loan proceeds.

Candidates Gary Foxx and Marcus Williams have raised $2,056 and $965, respectively. Foxx spent $2,031 and Williams spent $965 — all of his campaign revenue from this period. Chrelle Booker, another candidate, has not raised or spent any money on her campaign. 

Collectively, Democratic candidates raised $5,824,000 and spent $2,548,833 during the most recent filing period, almost all of which was by Josh Stein.

Republicans

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican front-runner, has raised almost $3.4 million and spent $2.3 million —the most raised and spent among the GOP candidates.

Robinson received the most funding from individual contributions — a total of $3,121,159 — and spent the most on operating expenditures, totaling $2,173,119, including $170,000 in online advertising and more than $150,000 on mailers. He also received $1,300 from nonprofit organizations.

Bill Graham directly followed Robinson with $2.5 million raised and $2.3 million spent. But, almost all of his income came through loans from himself, at almost $2.4 million.

Dale Folwell, North Carolina's state treasurer, has collected about $1.3 million, including a $1 million loan from himself. His campaign has only spent $55,000.

The Republicans have raised a combined $7,157,528. They have spent $4,716,300 in total.

@sophbgli

@DTHCityState | city@dailytarheel.com