Campaign finance reports are rolling out for the second quarter, and most of the coverage on these centers around A. how much money each candidate has raised or B. who’s giving them money.
Both are important points, and we’ll look into them as more totals roll in. But for now I’m intrigued by who our elected representatives are giving to — which can be almost as telling as who they’re receiving money from. Take Rep. Jim Harrell, the Democrat representing Surry and Alleghany counties. His second quarter disclosure report lists a $6,000 contribution to the NC House Democratic Committee, $1,500 to the NC Democratic Party and $1,500 to the campaign to re-elect William Wainwright.
The second-quarter report for Sen. Don East, a Republican representing Surry, Stokes, Alleghany and Yadkin counties, lists a $250 contribution to the Committee to Elect Republican Women and $500 to the committee to elect Hugh Webster to Congress.
Rep. George Holmes, a Republican whose district includes eastern Surry County, isn’t running for re-election, yet his report still lists more than $6,000 cash on hand. He can’t keep that money for personal use, so it will be interesting to see where it goes.
Congressional Rep. Virginia Foxx hasn’t released her second quarter totals yet, but I’ll look for them. In 2006 she gave quite a bit to various other congressional campaigns.
You can really get lost in the world of campaign finance filings. If anyone finds something intriguing in these documents let me know.
