Candidate spending varies, but so do fund-raising reports

Reports on the amount of money being spent by candidates for statewide offices are hit or miss this election year. Figures reflected on the N.C. Board of Elections Web site and in several other Web reports vary widely. OpenSecrets.org, which bills itself as “your nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on United States elections and public policy,” reflected the following as of last week:
U.S. House District 11
By March 15, Rep. Mark Meadows, the Republican incumbent seeking to retain his District 11 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, had raised a total of $351,928 and spent $234,810.
His cash on hand was reflected as $225,524 with debts of $142,500. His Democratic challengers are Rick Bryson and Tom Hill. Bryson had raised $10,260 and spent $8,852. His cash on hand was reflected as $1,408. Hill had raised $2,920, spent $2,015 and had $937 in cash on hand.
The North Carolina Congressional primary is June 7.
U.S. House District 12
In the District 12 race, Democrat Alma Adams has raised a total of $505,745. Democrats Tricia Cotham and Malcolm Graham have the next largest war chests, reporting totals of $43,750 and $30,444 respectively.
U.S. Senate
In the U.S. Senate race, OpenSecrets.org reported that incumbent Republican Richard Burr has raised a total of $7,213,389. His Democratic challenger Deborah Ross has raised $927,959. The Independent challenger, Mohammad Abous Sabur Nasiri has no published numbers.
In mid-April the Associated Press reported that Burr and Ross were still leading the money chase in the U.S. Senate elections.