Democratic Congressman Mike McIntyre has raised more than $1 million during the election cycle in his bid to keep a 7th district seat that has been made much more Republican by redistricting. McIntyre has spent $279,751, had $778,985 cash on hand and no debts.

Of his two main GOP challengers, Wilmington businessman Illario Pantano has raised $391,584, spent $357,551, has $44,480 cash on hand and $69,475 in debt, as of March 31, according to the Federal Election Commission.

State Sen. David Rouzer had raised $375,929, spent $230,289, has $145,640 on hand and a debt of $2,202.

“Despite the $45,000 in special interest PAC money that has been given to lobbyist and career politician David Rouzer, the Pantano campaign has continued to surge and has out-raised Senator Rouzer for this quarter as well as overall,” said Andy Yates, Pantano’s consultant.

But Jessica Wood, Rouzer’s spokeswoman, said “Pantano is doing Washington math. With $70,000 in debt and only $45,000 cash on hand, Illario Pantano’s campaign is $25,000 in the red. David Rouzer’s campaign is $144,000 in the black.”

Jones ahead in fund-raising

Republican Congressman Walter Jones is out-raising his GOP challenger Frank Palombo by a more than 6-1 margin.

Jones has raised $405,264, compared to $60,774 for Palombo, a retired New Bern police chief, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Jones reported spending $361,019 and having $171,943 on hand as of March 31, with no debts. Palombo reported spending $48,761 and having $12,014 on hand with $2,865 in debts.

The Democratic candidate, Erik Steven Anderson, reported raising no money in the 3rd District congressional race.

Pro-ban signs destroyed

Supporters of the proposed constitutional marriage amendment say that more than $10,000 worth of their billboards and yard signs have been destroyed in the past few weeks. And, in a fundraising email sent out Tuesday, they blame it on anti-amendment forces:

“Even though our opponents are attempting to discourage the preservation of marriage in North Carolina, their actions are actually doing the opposite. Despite their malicious intentions, they are actually encouraging supporters like you to rally around us. Restitution is needed to overcome this damage. You can help push us forward. Today, we are launching a money bomb to raise $10,000 so that we can spread our message of truth across North Carolina!”

Jeremy Kennedy, manager of the opposition campaign Protect All NC Families, said both sides denounce sign vandalism, and he doesn’t think it appropriate for Vote for Marriage to use it in a fundraising email.

“We would never encourage our supporters to do that,” he said.

Rachel Lee, a spokeswoman for Vote for Marriage N.C., says most of the vandalism occurred in Buncombe County, but there have been reports of damage across the state. She said the incident has been reported to Buncombe County law enforcement.

Romney in North Carolina

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will deliver Wednesday what is being dubbed a “prebuttal” to President Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech in Charlotte.

Romney will deliver remarks across the street from the Bank of America Stadium, where Obama will give his acceptance speech to cap the Democratic convention in September. The venue is a fifth-floor rooftop with a view of the stadium.

The former Massachusetts governor will attend fundraisers in Raleigh and Charlotte on Wednesday.

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