Campaign finance requirements govern the raising and spending of money for political campaigns. While not the only factor in an election’s outcome, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages, such as the ability to boost name recognition and promote a message. In addition, fundraising can indicate enthusiasm for candidates and parties.
This article lists the top individual fundraisers in North Carolina by their party affiliation as well as the top ten fundraisers overall. It is based on campaign finance reports that active North Carolina candidate political action committees (candidate PACs) submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). It includes activity between Jan. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate PACs.
Top North Carolina Fundraisers
The top fundraisers in North Carolina elections are shown below. For the purpose of this article, fundraisers may include individuals who are on the ballot this election cycle as well as those not currently running for office but who have received contributions during this reporting period. Individuals are listed with the office that they held at the time of publication, if applicable.
In the Democratic party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Josh Stein (Attorney General) – $875,809
- Sam Searcy – $381,210
- Robert C. Ervin – $185,292
- Roy Cooper (Governor) – $176,658
- Scott Thomas – $83,550
In the Republican party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Phil Berger (State Senate, District 30) – $384,827
- Timothy K. Moore (House of Representatives, District 111) – $193,440
- Donnie Harrison – $146,092
- Brent Jackson (State Senate, District 10) – $130,011
- Richard Dietz (Court of Appeals) – $106,753
Fundraising Totals
Overall, the top North Carolina Democratic candidate PACs raised $1.70 million in this period. The top Republican candidate PACs raised $961,124. North Carolina candidate PACs in the Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, filing period raised a total of $5.42 million. Combined, these North Carolina candidates account for 49% of total fundraising.
Contributions to the top five Democratic candidates made up 69% of the total amount reported by their party’s campaigns. Contributions to the top five Republican fundraisers comprised 41% of the total amount reported by Republican campaigns.
The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top ten fundraisers. For more information on fundraising and spending for North Carolina races on the 2022 ballot, click here.
| Name | Party Affiliation | Raised this period | Spent this period |
| Josh Stein | Democratic Party | $875,809 | $126,325 |
| Phil Berger | Republican Party | $384,827 | $74,684 |
| Sam Searcy | Democratic Party | $381,210 | $3,383 |
| Mary-Ann Baldwin | Nonpartisan | $302,791 | $31,879 |
| Timothy K. Moore | Republican Party | $193,440 | $67,792 |
| Robert C. Ervin | Democratic Party | $185,292 | $25,119 |
| Roy Cooper | Democratic Party | $176,658 | $197,130 |
| Donnie Harrison | Republican Party | $146,092 | $37,101 |
| Brent Jackson | Republican Party | $130,011 | $27,043 |
| Richard Dietz | Republican Party | $106,753 | $13,778 |
Campaign Finance Reporting Periods
The reports filed with the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) cover Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs in North Carolina must file semiannual financial reports of their fundraising and campaign spending. During election years, candidate PACs also file additional financial reports before primary and general elections.
The next semiannual campaign finance reporting deadline for North Carolina legislators and candidates will include activity between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.
This article was published in partnership with Transparency USA. Click here to learn more about that partnership.