The six major candidates for governor have collectively raised $16.9 million in contributions. Since 2007, they've returned more than $221,000.

Some checks were returned because supporters had exceeded the state-imposed limit of $4,000 per election. Others were from people or organizations the candidate would just as soon avoid.

Candidates often have to rely on volunteers and surrogates across the state to help raise money, said Brad Crone, owner of Campaign Connections, a political consulting firm not involved in the governor's race. A campaign staff then has to make sure those fundraisers don't turn up illegal or undesirable contributions.

"Any candidate wants to raise as much money as possible," Crone said. "Having to send money back is just gut-wrenching."

Democrat Richard Moore received this year a $500 check from A. Stephen Pierce, who pleaded guilty in 1999 to illegally funneling campaign contributions to state officials, including Beverly Perdue. Perdue, a state senator at the time, is now Moore's chief rival for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Less than a month after Moore returned Pierce's check, Moore launched an ad attacking Perdue over the contributions from Pierce, even though she had returned them.

Perdue has returned nearly $10,000 from donors associated with liquor distributors after Perdue's campaign sent a "cease-and-desist" letter to a fundraiser who had implied that Perdue would be favorable to liquor interests.

Perdue's campaign decided to return the money to ensure there could be no questions.

Moore's campaign returned a $1,000 contribution from Rich Osborne, a retired Duke Energy executive. Osborne said he didn't realize he had already given the maximum amount for the four-year election cycle, which began when the last election ended. But if Moore wins the primary, Osborne would be able to donate another $4,000 for the general election campaign.

That's a fact Moore's campaign mentioned to Osborne when it returned his check.