Democrats in North Carolina’s most competitive races raised more money to start this year than their Republican opponents and now have more money on hand, according to new FEC reports.
That gap is largest in the state’s marquee race: the Senate contest between former Democratic governor Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. Cooper ended the first quarter of the year with more than $18.4 million on hand across his affiliated PACs. Whatley finished with more than $6.3 million across affiliated PACs.
“This fundraising reflects the campaign’s growing momentum and as the most competitive race in the country, our team will work to earn every vote and make sure North Carolina has a senator who will fight for them,” Jeff Allen, Cooper’s campaign manager, said in a press release.
Cooper raked in roughly $13.8 million in the first quarter across his affiliated PACs, his campaign said, compared to Whatley’s $5 million, the Republican’s campaign said.
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“For decades, North Carolina Democrats have been setting fundraising records just to lose in the general election,” DJ Griffin, a spokesperson for Whatley’s campaign, told the Carolina Journal. “We look forward to history repeating itself this November.”
In North Carolina’s 1st District, vulnerable Democrat Rep. Don Davis finished the quarter with more than $2.8 million cash on hand. His opponent, Republican Laurie Buckhout, has more than $1.4 million.
“Congressman Davis, an eastern North Carolina native, prioritizes listening to communities and delivering commonsense solutions that cut costs, create jobs, and improve rural healthcare outcomes across our region,” said spokesperson Hannah Spengler. “Our record speaks for itself, causing voters to rally around our campaign.”
The seat is one of Republicans’ best flip opportunities after the state legislature redrew the district to be more conservative.
Davis raised more than $772,000 this quarter compared to Buckhout’s nearly $392,000. Transfers from other committees bring Davis’s total contributions to $1.1 million, and Buckhout’s to nearly $600,000. Buckhout’s campaign has been largely self-financed: She loaned her campaign roughly $3.5 million this quarter.
A spokesperson for the Buckhout campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
On the western side of the state, Democrat Jamie Ager ended the quarter with $1.1 million on hand compared to Rep. Chuck Edwards’ $487,217.
Cook Political Report rates the district — North Carolina’s 11th — “Likely Republican,” and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers it in play this midterm.
Ager raised nearly $955,952 this quarter compared to Edwards’ $192,475.
“I’m proud of the strong grassroots campaign we’re running,” Ager said. “We’ve had thousands of people who are stepping up and helping shape this movement.”
Paul Shumaker, a consultant and spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign, said that the congressman “has been focused on doing his job and as the year progresses we shift a greater workload to the campaign.”
This story has been updated to include money the Davis and Buckhout campaigns had transferred into their accounts.
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