The Southern Political Report has the story. Here’s the top, and I’ve just included what’s of N.C. interest. Click on the link to see the full report:
February 11, 2008 — Dixie’s Democratic US House members and some challengers are in good financial shape for the coming campaign, say the 4th Quarter Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports. All six Democratic freshmen who replaced Republicans in 2006 and should be at the most vulnerable point in their congressional careers are far out-fundraising most of their GOP challengers. Other Democrats who had close races last time are also way ahead in the money chase.
Potentially vulnerable Republicans — freshmen and those with close 2006 elections — are not raising comparable war chests, with several notable exceptions.
The financial reports, along with opinion polls and significantly increased turnout in Democratic primaries, are another sign that Republicans in the South could be in for another rough year. Combined with the loss of six seats in the House in 2006, additional losses this year would represent significant erosion in the GOP’s base in the South. (For more details on the FEC reports throughout the South, click on “Resources,” then on “U.S. Senate and House FEC Reports” under “Campaign Updates.”)
Freshmen
Freshman Democrats are flush.
In North Carolina 11 (Asheville, etc.), Heath Shuler has $626,000 on hand. Republican challenger Spence Campbell has $73,000 and Carl Mumpower has $1,000.
Other Competitive Districts
On the GOP side, in North Carolina 8 (Concord, etc.), where five-term Robin Hayes ® won by a very slim 329 votes in 2006, Hayes has $793,000 on hand, while his populist ex-school teacher challenger Larry Kissell (D) is repeating his 2006 record for poor fundraising, with only $137,000 on hand.