In North Carolina, voters cast ballots every four years to decide the future of their state. One of the rare states that selects its executive government at the same time as the presidential election, North Carolina’s elections are important for setting the stage for the direction of the state for years to come.

Today, we’re helping you better know your statewide leaders, including an overview of who has supported their campaign accounts.

Governor Roy Cooper (D)

Roy Cooper is currently in his second term as Governor, after holding off a challenge from former Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest in 2020. Prior to winning election as Governor, Cooper served as the state’s Attorney General and as a state legislator.

According to campaign finance filings, since 2017, Cooper has been a strong fundraiser, pulling in $40,863,400. His top contributor has been the NC Democratic Leadership Committee, which has contributed $14,307,181.

Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson (R)

Mark Robinson is currently serving in his first term as Lieutenant Governor after succeeding Dan Forest in the state’s election held last year. Robinson, who holds the distinction of being North Carolina’s first African-American Lieutenant Governor, never held elected office before winning the election for his position last year.

According to campaign finance filings, since 2017, Robinson has reported bringing in 

$1,383,753 in contributions, with his top contributor being NC Republican Council of State Committee with $147,312 in contributions. Robinson has also been a prolific fundraiser among smaller dollar donors, reporting $111,432 in Aggregated Individual Contributions, which is how North Carolina classifies all contributions below the $50 minimum threshold. For donations above that amount, the recipient is required to report the donor’s name, occupation, contact information, and date of the transaction.  

Attorney General Josh Stein (D)

Democrat Josh Stein is currently serving in his second term as Attorney General after facing a relatively close re-election campaign in 2020. Prior to his election as Attorney General, Stein served as a state legislator.

According to campaign finance filings, since 2017, Stein has brought in $12,429,878 in contributions, with his top contributor being the NC Democratic Leadership Committee, with $3,359,495 in contributions.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall (D)

Elaine Marshall is currently in her seventh term as Secretary of State after winning a close re-election race against Republican businessman E.C. Sykes in 2020. Marshall is currently the longest-tenured statewide elected official serving in North Carolina.

According to campaign finance filings, since 2017, Marshall has raised $695,118 for her campaign. The largest share of her contributions have come from the small donation category named Aggregated Individual Contributions, in the amount of $47,648. Her largest individual contributor has been the North Carolina Democratic Party, which has contributed $29,228 to her campaign.

Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler (R)

Steve Troxler is currently in his fifth term as the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture after winning re-election against Democrat Jenna Wadsworth in 2020.

According to campaign finance data, since 2017, Troxler has brought in $624,634 for his campaign. Troxler’s largest contributors have been Elaine and Steven Wordsworth, who contributed $9,500 to his campaign. Troxler’s second largest share of contributions has come from Aggregated Individual Contributions, in the amount of $6,190.

Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey (R)

Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey is currently in his second term in the job, after fending off a challenge from former Commissioner Wayne Goodwin in 2020. 

According to campaign finance filings, Causey has reported $783,061 in contributions since 2017. By far, Causey’s top contributor has been the North Carolina Republican Party, which has contributed $250,000. Causey’s next-largest donation was from James Allen Fine Jr., who contributed $16,000 to his campaign.

Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson (R)

Republican Josh Dobson is currently in his first term as North Carolina’s Commissioner of Labor, winning the job over Democrat Jessica Holmes in a close contest in 2020. Prior to winning the job, Dobson served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

According to campaign finance reports, since 2017, Dobson has raised $399,328 for his campaign. Dobson’s top contributor has been the North Carolina Republican Party at $29,978 in contributions, followed by the NC Health Care Facilities Assn PAC at $18,800 in contributions.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt (R)

Catherine Truitt is currently serving in her first term as Superintendent of Public Instruction after winning a close race against Democrat Jen Mangrum in 2020. Prior to winning the job, Truitt served as chancellor of Western Governors University.

According to campaign finance reports, since 2017, Truitt has reported $153,395 in contributions. She has been her own top contributor, donating $12,106 to her campaign. Ann B. and James Goodnight follow closely behind on her contributor list, kicking in $10,800 to Truitt’s campaign.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell (R)

Republican Dale Folwell is currently serving in his second term as State Treasurer after fending off a challenge from Ronnie Chatterji in 2020. Prior to winning his position, Folwell served as a state legislator.

According to campaign finance filings, since 2017, Folwell has reported $523,095 in contributions, with his top contributor being North Carolina Republican Party, with $30,803 in contributions. Maria and Robert Luddy follow just behind on his contributor list, giving $16,200 to his campaign.

State Auditor Beth Wood (D)

Democrat Beth Wood is currently serving in her fourth term as State Auditor after winning a close re-election fight against Anthony Wayne Street in 2020. 

According to campaign finance reports, Wood has reported $250,154 in contributions since 2017. Her top contributor so far has been the North Carolina Democratic Party with $28,660 in contributions.

All available campaign finance data through the end of 2020 is included in the Transparency USA database, along with the very first reports for the 2022 election cycle. For more about the state-level officeholders and candidates in North Carolina, please visit this link. Search for any candidate, PAC, or donor in North Carolina here.