New reports show which Mecklenburg candidates have most money before election
Final campaign finance reports before Election Day show incumbents holding fundraising leads in Huntersville and Cornelius, coordinated slates competing in closely watched town board races, and several candidates in other communities reporting little or no financial activity.
Candidates in Mecklenburg County’s town elections have filed their latest campaign finance reports ahead of the Nov. 4 election, offering a look at who raised — and spent — the most in the final stretch.
The reports, filed this week with county and state elections offices, include candidates in Huntersville, Cornelius and other Mecklenburg municipalities outside Charlotte and show the final fundraising figures for the time period between Sept. 24 to Oct. 20. While campaign dollars don’t necessarily predict winners, the filings show which candidates have built donor networks and how much cash they have on hand heading into Election Day.
Here’s what we found:
Huntersville
Huntersville’s competitive mayoral and town board races are drawing money from partisan groups as Republicans look to reclaim ground after Democrats swept all seats in 2023. Though the race is technically nonpartisan, it will test whether that shift was a blip or a lasting change in one of Mecklenburg’s fastest-growing suburbs.
For the entire fundraising period this election, Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark reported raising $22,323, spending about $6,132 and having $14,832 left over. Her donors include groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety, Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County, multiple people affiliated with Peak Development and Charlotte City Council candidate Kimberly Owens.
Derek Partee, a former commissioner and Clark’s Republican challenger, reported raising about $2,892, spending $2,390 and had roughly $1,558 on hand.
The GOP slate aiming to reclaim board control — Dan Boone, Frank Gammon, Heather Smallwood and Jamie Wideman — has garnered support from conservative groups, particularly the North Meck Republicans.
- Boone leads the field with $33,816 raised and about $17,516 cash on hand.
- Wideman raised $13,601 and has $304 left.
- Smallwood reported raising $11,110 and has about $4,244 cash on hand.
- Gammon brought in $9,730, holding $5,843 cash on hand.
Democrats also posted notable totals:
- Incumbent Edwin Quarles raised nearly $24,813 and has just over $1,500 left.
- Incumbent Jennifer Hunt reported $8,676 raised and about $6,206 on hand.
- Scott Coronet, a Democratic newcomer, raised $28,047 and has $7,449 remaining.
- LaToya Rivers reported $933 raised with $151 left.
- Nick Walsh’s report was not yet publicly available. The Charlotte Observer reached out to Walsh for the report.
Developer-affiliated donations, particularly tied to Peak Development, appear across several Democratic reports.
Cornelius
Cornelius voters will see a rematch at the top of the ballot, with Mayor Woody Washam Jr. and former commissioner Denis Bilodeau facing off again after one of Mecklenburg County’s closest races in 2023. The mayoral race has drawn uneven fundraising totals, with Washam reporting a wide lead in contributions and cash on hand.
For the entire fundraising period this election, Washam holds a significant financial edge, reporting $59,857 raised, $25,254 spent and $42,762 left to spend. His supporters include North Meck Republicans, the Mecklenburg County Republican Party and Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge George Bell.
Bilodeau reported $12,975 raised, $14,626 spent and about $844 remaining.
Kenny Campbell, a new challenger in the mayoral race, reported $2,458 raised, $2,447 spent and $11 cash on hand.
Board candidate Todd Sansbury reported raising $3,238 and having about $1,154 remaining. Reports for Robert Carney, Susan Johnson, Michael Osborne, Michael DeVoney and Colin Furcht were not yet posted as of Thursday. The Observer reached out to candidates for their reports.
Matthews
Matthews voters will choose a new town board this year, with several open seats and a mayor’s race between two current officials. At least three commission seats are guaranteed to be filled by newcomers.
Mayor John Higdon, running for reelection, reported raising $19,577, spending $16,946 and holding $6,113 in cash on hand this election cycle. His contributors include the Matthews Chamber of Commerce.
Challenger Leon Threatt, a current town commissioner, reported raising $23,075, spending $22,915 and having $1,393 remaining.
For the board of commissioners, campaign filings show a wide range of activity among the crowded field of candidates.
- Susan Chambers reported raising $10,346. Spending details and remaining cash were not reported on her form.
- Kerry Lamson raised $4,187, spent $3,773 and has $415 on hand.
- George Young reported $300 raised, $68 spent and $308 cash remaining.
- John Urban, an incumbent, reported $1,225 raised, $2,076 spent and $2,354 on hand after carrying funds from previous cycles.
- Mark Tofano’s report was unclear, though it states he raised and spent $0 this election, and has -$1,408 cash on hand.
- Reports for Jonathan Clayton, Jennefer Cross Garrity, Brian Hacker and Gina Hoover were not yet available as of Thursday.
Mint Hill
Mint Hill is guaranteed new leadership at the top of the ticket, with Mayor Brad Simmons not seeking reelection. Two sitting commissioners are vying to replace him, while several candidates are competing for open commission seats.
Mayoral candidate Dale Dalton reported raising $11,969, spending $5,510 and holding $6,459 in cash on hand. His competitor, Tim Radzicki did not have a campaign finance report available as of Thursday.
For the board of commissioners, Twanna Henderson, an incumbent, reported raising $9,330, spending $5,771 and having $3,793 on hand. Candidate Trey Long reported $2,925 raised, $2,312 spent and $613 remaining.
Reports were not yet available for Patrick Holton, Patrick O’Brien, Matt Schwoebel or Patrick Holton as of Thursday.
Pineville
No campaign finance reports were available for Pineville’s mayoral or town council candidates as of Thursday.
Mayor David Phillips withdrew from the race earlier this year, leaving Council Member Amelia Stinson-Wesley unopposed for the seat. Five candidates are running for two open council positions.
Davidson
Campaign finance reports for Davidson candidates were not yet posted as of Thursday. Mayor Rusty Knox is running unopposed, and six candidates are seeking five seats on the town board.
