The Wake County school board races were the centerpiece today of a Wake Democratic Party campaign kickoff event.

All five party-backed candidates were on hand for today's press conference/campaign rally marking the start of Early Voting. Former Wake County school board member Susan Parry set the tone as the emcee for the event held on the steps of the Wake County Democratic Party's offices

"We have a great deal to lose this time and a lot to gain," Parry said of the school board races.

Wake County school board member Keith Sutton has raised nearly $20,000 in his bid to keep the District 4 seat.

The new campaign report filed today shows Sutton having raised $19,892 as of Aug. 30 with $12,272.86 on hand. No report has been filed yet by opponent Venita Peyton.

Sutton's biggest individual donor in the new report is Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon, who gave $1,000. It's Goodmon's first recorded school board contribution this season, but he is one of the hosts for a Wake County Democratic Party fundraiser being held next week.