The Wake County Democratic Party outspent the Wake County Republican Party by more than two to one last year to help win the pivotal school board battle.
While it's hard to say how much was specifically spent on the Wake County school board races, the campaign finance reports would suggest that the Democrats were more active in getting their candidates elected. For instance, Democrats had a target of $80,000 in their get-out-the-vote efforts for the October races.
According to their year-end report, the Wake County Democratic Party received $176,227.18 and spent $183,252.88. According to their year-end report, the Wake County Republican Party raised $81,965.98 and spent $83.089.33.
The donors for the parties mirror those for the individual school board candidates.
The top donor for the Wake Democratic Party is the $15,500 from the Wake Citizens for Good Government political action committee that was formed by pollster and businessman Dean Debnam.
Among individual donors for the Democrats, the top two were pharmaceutical executives Ann Campbell and John Campbell, who both gave $7,000. Next came Ronald McFarlane, husband of new Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane, who gave $6,500. Then comes the $5,000 from Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon and the $4,900 from Debnam.
Based on reported donations, the Campbells combined to give $70,000 to the Democratic school board candidates, the Wake Democratic Party and Wake Citizens for Good Government. Goodmon gave $19,000 to the school board candidates and the Wake Democratic Party.
The top Wake GOP group donor was the Northern Wake Republican Club, which gave $9,150. Among the individual donors, the top ones were the $15,000 from businessman Art Pope and the $10,000 from businessman Bob Luddy. Katherine Pope, the wife of Art Pope, gave $4,100.
Based on what's been reported so far, the Popes combined to give $55,100 to the Republican school board candidates and the Wake GOP. Luddy gave $34,000 to the Republican school board candidates and the Wake GOP.
For the Popes, you've also got to consider the $29,565.63 that Civitas Action spent on the school board campaign. How much of that money can be directly attributed to the Popes isn't clear.
Comments
Eating Crow?
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 01:02 — raleighlauraAll those people who called Republicans elected to the Board in 2009 "Pope's Minions" since the Popes gave a lot of money to their candidates must have a hard time recognizing the new Board members as Campbell Minions. Maybe they have decided that minion is no longer a derogatory term.
Don't Forget That
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:59 — KevPerdueMrs. Campbell is always referring to herself as a 'stakeholder'. I bet her and her husband are not happy that their money didn't buy the result they wanted. I can only imagine they will continue to remind the board members they are 'STAKEHOLDERS'.
Just imagine what the
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:25 — starsonoursJust imagine what the reaction would have been if 2 years ago Bob Luddy or Art Pope had given the exact same speech Ms. Campbell gave.
...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 10:59 — Sideburns...the Campbells combined to give $70,000 to the Democratic school board..
That explains why Ann Campbell is so angry when she speaks at School Board meetings. She's waiting for her return on investment. Hang on, Ann. I have a feeling it's coming.
Waiting for the front page
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 10:21 — loriacWaiting for the front page article in the N&O about our school board 'Campbell puppets'.
Hopefully....
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 10:10 — bpuli9999that continues to the other elections later this year! Money talks! Corporations are people too!
No chance of that
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 10:21 — FSandYOUbut do take a breath, you'll be alright.
Probably.