Counting the Coffers
Incumbents compile sizable war chests

By Scott Nicholson

Fellow legislators, broadcasters, insurers, health care interests and educators were among those backing successful General Assembly candidates’ campaigns.

Both incumbents, Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) and Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) compiled six-figure war chests in defending their seats in a traditionally Republican region of the state, securing solid support from their state party while their opponents were left relying on individual contributions and loans.

According to recently released state filings, Tarleton raised $211,902 through Oct. 18, nearly half of it coming from the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Tarleton also received $33,775 through that period from political action committees, including money from other Democratic candidates’ campaign coffers.

Political action committees contributing $500 or more to Tarleton’s campaign include the N.C. Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the North Carolina Association of Educators, Time-Warner Cable, the Conservation Council of North Carolina, Citizens for Higher Education, N.C. Beer and Wine Distributors, N.C. Pork Council, N.C. Association of Broadcasters and Raleigh Employee Assistance Program.

Tarleton’s Republican challenger, Dan Soucek, raised $57,916 through Oct. 18, netting only $6,886 from the North Carolina Republican Party and $4,350 from other political campaigns, with no special-interest PACS contributing money.

Libertarian Jeff Cannon, also challenging Tarleton, filed a Certificate of Threshold, meaning he expected to raise less than $3,000 for his campaign. He said he spent $407 of his own money.

Goss raised $103,947 through Oct. 18, receiving $21,625 from the state party and $28,600 from other political action committees.

Among the PACs contributing $500 or more to Goss’s campaign were Eli Lilly and Company, Citizens for Higher Education, Carolink, AZ Pac, Employees Political Action Committee, Nationwide Carolina Political Participation Fund, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, N.C. Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee PAC, N.C. Farm Bureau, N.C. Homebuilders Association, N.C. Restaurant and Lodging PAC, N.C. Chapter of National Association of Social Workers, N.C. Association of Educators, N.C. Pork Council, Raleigh Employees Assistance Program, and Resident Lenders of N.C. PAC.

Goss’s Republican opponent, Jerry Butler, raised $62,430 through Oct. 18, with most of his money coming from his own wallet.

His only PAC contribution of $500 or more came from the N.C. Dental Political Action Committee, and he loaned his campaign $49,330, with the N.C. Republican Party making no contribution.

Campaign reports from the third quarter were collected and compiled by the State Board of Elections, tracking candidate contributions and expenditures through Oct. 18. The final year-end report, covering spending through the General Election, is due Jan. 15.

Complete state-level campaign reports and lists of individual large donors for each candidate are public records available through the State Board of Elections Web site at www.sboe.state.nc.us.