(The Center Square) – Jeff Jackson, the Democratic candidate for attorney general in North Carolina, raised more than triple his opponent in the second fundraising quarter.
In a matchup of sitting members from the U.S. House of Representatives, Jackson ended the period with $5.7 million in the bank to Republican Dan Bishop’s $2.7 million. Jackson represents the 14th Congressional District, Bishop the 8th.
As representatives, both candidates have often found themselves on opposite sides of issues ranging from former President Donald Trump’s trials to restrictions on illegal immigrants voting.
Bishop has said Jackson is “unsuited” to be North Carolina’s attorney general.
“Jeff was an assistant district attorney for three years,” he said in a statement on social media. “I practiced law for 29.”
“State court records belie that Jeff has three career appearances in state civil trial courts. I have 244,” Bishop added.
Yet, as North Carolina’s status as a swing state is solidified in the 2024 election cycle, money is pouring into the states for many Democratic candidates.
In the second fundraising quarter, which ended on June 30, Jackson raised $3.7 million from individuals, while Bishop brought in only $1.2 million from individual donors.
Jackson also outpaced Bishop in fundraising from political party committees, raising $50,000, compared to Bishop’s $3,000, according to campaign finance documents.
Despite that, Bishop’s campaign believes there’s a path to victory. He faces a steep battle in the state though, which often elects Democrats on the state-level, even while supporting Republican presidential candidates.
The last time a Republican was elected attorney general in North Carolina was 1974. The winner will succeed Democrat Josh Stein, who is running for governor in North Carolina instead.
Planned Parenthood has endorsed Jackson, who said he is “ready to get to work defending reproductive rights in our state.”
The abortion-rights group has also set its target on North Carolina, planning a targeted ad campaign to flip the state in favor of the Democrats.
This will likely play a part in the projected $362 million that will be spent on political advertising in the state in the 2024 election cycle, a number predicted by a recent report released by AdImpact.
This will make North Carolina the 11th most-expensive in the country.
Jackson and Bishop are already playing a part in that projected spending, even though AdImpact said “the true spending season has not yet started.”
In the second quarter, Jackson spent nearly $1 million, while Bishop spent only $226,000.
