Republican primary elections for 49 of 50 seats in the North Carolina State Senate took place on May 17, 2022. Of the 49 seats up for election in 2022, 15 had a primary election with more than one candidate.

Across all contested Republican primary elections, candidates raised $1.8 million. Incumbents raised an average of $111,949 per candidate and challengers raised an average of $35,619 per candidate.

Five primary elections with the most fundraising

The table below details the five Republican primary elections with the most fundraising in the State Senate. Winning candidates’ names are in bold.

#1 District 47 – $239,472

Incumbent Ralph Hise raised $118,076 and Incumbent Deanna Ballard raised $121,396.

Ralph Hise advanced to the general election with 51 percent of the vote and Deanna Ballard received 49 percent of the vote.

#2 District 10 – $230,582

Benton Sawrey raised $131,260, Jill Homan raised $99,322, and Matt Ansley raised $0.

Benton Sawrey advanced to the general election with 66 percent of the vote, Jill Homan received 20 percent of the vote, and Matt Ansley received 15 percent of the vote.

#3 District 1 – $211,509

Incumbent Norman Sanderson raised $77,457 and Incumbent Bob Steinburg raised $134,052.

Norman Sanderson advanced to the general election with 56 percent of the vote and Bob Steinburg received 44 percent of the vote.

#4 District 12 – $197,674

Incumbent Jim Burgin raised $125,730, Ernie Watson raised $51,753, and David Buboltz raised $20,191.

Jim Burgin advanced to the general election with 53 percent of the vote, David Buboltz received 37 percent of the vote, and Ernie Watson received 11 percent of the vote.

#5 District 4 – $187,933

Eldon Sharpe Newton III raised $147,547 and Joe Democko raised $40,386.

Eldon Sharpe Newton III advanced to the general election with 68 percent of the vote and Joe Democko received 32 percent of the vote.

The data above are based on campaign finance reports that active North Carolina PACs submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). Federal PACs are not required to report to state agencies. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines. State or federal law may require filers to submit additional reports.

This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.