You can tell a lot about candidates from who gives them money.

As noted in today's article by Michael Biesecker, there are pretty noticeable patterns in the people giving money to County Commissioner Kenn Gardner and challenger Stan Norwalk.

Gardner's getting a lot of money from developers and the housing industry. Norwalk is getting a lot of money from slow-growth advocates and educators.

County Commissioner Kenn Gardner and his opponent, Stan Norwalk, have some interesting things to say about school issues.

Gardner, who is being backed by groups critical of the school district's assignment policies, is highlighting his opposition to the year-round conversion plans. He was among the commissioners who voted to withhold funding to pay for the conversions.

"There aren't equal choices across the districts," Gardner said. "In some areas, you have very few year-round schools and in other areas you have almost all of the schools on year-round. If you're going to have a policy on year-round, you should be more even-handed."

A new poll from Public Policy Polling has the three Democratic candidates for county commissioner leading their races and poised to flip control of the board.

In the closest race, the poll shows Democratic challenger Stan Norwalk with 49 percent of the vote. Republican incumbent Kenn Gardner is at 40 percent. The poll has an error margin of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.

One thing to keep in mind, which isn't mentioned in the press release, is that PPP President Dean Debnam gave $1,000 to Norwalk's campaign.

To no one's surprise, the school system is a campaign issue among the candidates for county commissioner.

In particular, sides are being drawn in the hotly contested race between incumbent Republican Kenn Gardner and Democratic challenger Stan Norwalk. Gardner is supported by critics of the district and Norwalk is backed by supporters.

Norwalk is talking a good deal about education in his campaign spots.

The school board probably won't get the $3 million that was withheld for not meeting enrollment — or will it?

As noted in today's article, Joe Bryan, chairman of the board of commissioners, said he thought it was unlikely the current board would vote to give the money. But what about a future board later this fiscal year?

Things could change based on how the elections go for commissioners in November.

The Wake affiliate of the N.C. Association of Educators has endorsed Stan Norwalk for county commissioner.

Norwalk, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent Kenn Gardner for a seat on the county board from District 4, which is in southwestern Wake. Gardner has held the seat since 2000.

Wake commissioners run for election county wide, but must live in the district they're running from.