RALEIGH - Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore were about even financially entering the final months of their Democratic primary campaigns for governor, with each reporting Friday more than $4.5 million in their coffers to begin 2008.

Perdue reported raising slightly more than $2 million for the second half of 2007, compared to $1.77 million raised by Moore, according to officials for each of their campaigns.

As of Dec. 31, Moore had $4.64 million in cash on hand, compared to $4.55 million for Perdue. Perdue and Moore have raised just over $6 million apiece since the gubernatorial election cycle began in 2005.

All candidates for statewide office, the General Assembly and judicial positions had to file campaign finance reports covering July 1 through Dec. 31. The next reports will be due in late April. The primary will be held May 6.

Among Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, state Sen. Fred Smith of Johnston County reported raising $486,000 in contributions during the second half of 2007 but also loaned his campaign more than $1.5 million. He had nearly $1.1 million in cash as of Dec. 31, according to his campaign report.

Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, another Republican candidate, loaned his campaign $603,000 during the period but only raised $45,000 from individuals, according to his campaign.