A bus, a NASCAR backer, Mar-a-Lago spending: 7 things we learned in Senate campaign filings

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd outraised his opponents in the Republican primary race for a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat during the fourth quarter of 2021, his campaign reported Monday.

Budd raised $968,360 compared to former Gov. Pat McCrory’s $748,072, political newcomer Marjorie Eastman’s $423,723 and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker’s $146,053.

“My campaign has been leading in the polls and in grassroots organization and now we’re leading in fundraising,” Budd said in a news release Monday.

Candidates’ finance reports give a good indication of where their money is coming from and where they’re spending it. Budd, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, spent money at Mar-a-Lago, while Walker has support from a NASCAR legend.

McCrory complained in a news release Monday about being attacked by Budd supporters, including Club for Growth, a political action committee that has pumped millions into attack ads against McCrory.

“I’m the only candidate who has a proven record of standing up to the radical left and I’ll continue to do it as a US Senator,” McCrory said in a written statement. “I look forward to doing just that.”

Eastman celebrated her lead over Walker and the amount of money she raised in the 13 weeks since her campaign launched.

“I might be a political newcomer and many think this a three-man race, but my message is resonating with voters and the number of donations to my campaign proves that,” Eastman said in a written statement.

But none of the Republicans could outraise the likely Democratic nominee, Cheri Beasley, who brought in more than $2.1 million — or about the combined total of all the Republicans. Beasley’s main Democratic opponent, Jeff Jackson, left the race in December and endorsed her.

“Since Cheri Beasley entered the race, North Carolinians have increasingly thrown their support behind her because they know she is the only candidate in the race who will be an independent voice that fights for North Carolina in the Senate,” Travis Brimm, Beasley’s campaign manager, said in a written statement. “We are committed to building a strong, grassroots campaign that touches every corner of the state and helps lead us to victory in November.”

Beasley also has the most cash-on-hand at $2,820,769.

Budd trails her at $2,226,866, followed by McCrory at $1,949,198, Walker at $571,737 and Eastman at $286,511.

Fast facts

1. Beasley brought in more than $2.1 million, compared to the $2.2 million the top four Republicans earned. However, almost immediately Republicans pointed out that their money was divided among candidates in a heated primary, while Beasley has little competition.

2. Club for Growth and Trump have thrown their support behind Budd and that has paid off financially for him. In the fourth quarter, Club for Growth gave more than $30,000 to Budd. Other contributions from individual donors on the disclosure forms were listed as being earmarked through Club for Growth.

3. Speaking of PAC money, Budd took more money from political committees in the fourth quarter — $48,500 —than any of his opponents. McCrory took $23,500 in the quarter and Eastman took $21,000. Neither Beasley and Walker received PAC money in the quarter. None of this accounts for outside money that groups spent independently on the campaign.

4. Since November, Walker wrestled with whether he should switch from the U.S. Senate race to campaign in the 7th Congressional District. He finally made a decision last week to stick with the Senate race. Had he switched, he still would have been outraised by his opponents. In the 7th district, Chad Slotta raised $238,306 and Bo Hines, who is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, raised $188,403. Christian Castelli nearly matched Walker, raising $146,022.

5. Walker might not have Trump’s support in the Senate race but he did earn the support of NASCAR legend Richard Childress, a team owner, former driver and Lexington vineyard owner. He donated $5,000 to Walker’s campaign.

6. Just because the former president supports you, doesn’t mean he hands over the keys to his kingdom. Budd’s campaign finance report shows he paid, in October, $4,915 for a site fee and food and beverages at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home and resort in Florida.

7. And then there’s the bus. Walker spent nearly a week talking up a big announcement. When it finally came on Thursday, a bus with a tarp over it was parked in the front of the room where performers performed, politicians spoke and members of Walker’s previous church preached. He used the bus to unveil that he would stay in the Senate race. According to Walker’s campaign finance report, he spent $22,000 on a campaign bus in October and then made repairs on it in November. It’s unclear if the bus was used between then and Thursday, or even if it’s the same bus.

For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it at link.chtbl.com/underthedomenc or wherever you get your podcasts.

This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 6:46 PM with the headline "A bus, a NASCAR backer, Mar-a-Lago spending: 7 things we learned in Senate campaign filings."

Danielle Battaglia

McClatchy DC

Danielle Battaglia is the congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of the impact of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.