In NC governor race, Stein outpaces Robinson in fundraising. Here’s who’s giving.
In the race to be North Carolina’s next governor, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein is far outpacing Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in raising money.
Stein raised $13.6 million in the second quarter of the year, which covers Feb. 18 through June 30. Robinson raised $5 million. Both candidates raised most of their money from individual donors and a smaller portion from political party committees and PACs.
The governor’s race isn’t top of ballot this year — that’s the presidential race — but it is the top statewide race. While most of Stein’s and Robinson’s donors are from North Carolina, they each have several from out of state, and some of those are high-profile.
Robinson gave a short speech on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week and is a longtime Trump supporter. Stein has taken the stage at some, but not all Biden-Harris visits to North Carolina this year.
Money in campaign finance reports can show how much voters, political action committees and political parties want to push their nominee to win the election. That money also funds campaign staff and advertising. Both Stein and Robinson have recently released television ads about themselves. Stein also has an attack ad about Robinson’s stance on abortion, and the Republican Governors Association released an ad attacking Stein. Outside spending, like the RGA ad, is not part of these campaign finance reports.
Here’s what the money shows:
Big-name donors
The individual donation limit is $6,400, and both campaigns received the maximum donations from both in-state and out-of-state wealthy donors, ranging from celebrities to politicians.
Stein’s biggest individual donors since the beginning of the campaign include:
▪ Filmmaker Steven Spielberg of California.
▪ Designer Ralph Lauren of New York.
▪ Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker.
▪ Former N.C. Gov. James Hunt Jr.
▪ Raleigh real estate developer Gregory Hatem.
▪ Capitol Broadcasting Company CEO James Goodmon.
Robinson’s biggest individual donors include:
▪ Former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who now lives in Florida.
▪ Raleigh real estate developer John Kane.
▪ Former race car driver Richard Childress.
▪ Charter Schools USA CEO Jonathan Hage of Florida.
▪ Former Papa John’s Pizza CEO John H. Schnatter of Florida.
▪ Uline shipping company chair Richard Uihlein of Illinois.
▪ Right-wing megadonor Thomas Klingenstein of New York.
For the complete list of those contributors who gave the maximum amount of $6,400, search our database below. (For print readers, see this story on newsobserver.com.)
Breaking down the PAC money
Political action committee donations represented less than 1% of each candidate’s total funds raised.
Stein brought in $64,000 this year from 10 PACs that donated the maximum amount of $6,400. Four of those 10 PACs were from North Carolina: NC Advocates for Justice, Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association, NC Health Care Facilities and Piedmont Stone Center.
Robinson’s campaign raised $25,600 this year from four PACs that gave the maximum. All four are based in North Carolina and two also gave to Stein. They are Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association, NC Health Care Facilities, Old North State and Dominion Energy Inc.
In-state vs. out-of-state money
Both candidates raised the majority of their money from within the state.
Since the start of the campaign, Stein raised 72% of his money from North Carolina residents, political action committees and non-party committees.
Robinson’s campaign brought in a higher percentage of funds from North Carolina with 83%.
Spending
This chart shows how the candidates have been spending their money. (Or see this story on newsobserver.com.)
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