(The Center Square) – Less than a year until primaries, more than 17 months until 2026 Election Day, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is far and away leading campaign finance for North Carolinians trying to be in Washington for the 120th Congress.
Tillis, according to filing reports at the Federal Election Commission, has more than $4 million in cash on hand. Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, vying for a 12th term and longest tenured of any state senator or House of Representatives member, has just over $3.1 million.
The only others above $1 million are Republican Reps. Dr. Greg Murphy ($1.6 million), David Rouzer ($1.5 million), Tim Moore ($1.1 million) and Richard Hudson (nearly $1.1 million). Foxx represents the 5th Congressional District, Murphy the 3rd, Rouzer the 7th, Moore the 14th, and Hudson the 9th.
The candidate filing period for the 2026 cycle is from noon on Dec. 1 to noon on Dec. 19. Primaries are scheduled March 3.
The candidate filing period for the 2025 cycle begins at the opening of business on July 7 and closes at noon on July 18. Partisan primary dates in five counties are Sept. 9, with runoffs Oct. 7. The general election is Nov. 4. This is an off-year cycle, with municipal elections the majority of ballots.
Tillis is the senior senator of the Tarheel State. He’s drawn criticism in the western part of the state for comments on FEMA. He’s also been noticed on confirmations of nominations from President Donald Trump for Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon and Ed Martin as a U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia.
Democrat Wiley Nickel, former member of the U.S. House, has declared intent to unseat him and has nearly $522,000 in cash on hand. Three other Republicans are in the federal campaign records, with Don Brown ($20,000) having the most cash on hand.
On the House side, independent David Clayton ($0) is a challenger to Foxx. Democrat Chris Shulte ($6,400) is a challenger to Murphy. There is yet to be challengers listed for Rouzer and Moore.
In the 9th, Richard Ojeda is actively campaigning against Hudson. His cash on hand is $263,000 at the close of the last filing period. Nigel Bristow ($1,600) and Dr. Lent Carr ($0) are the other Democrats looking to unseat Hudson.
Among other Republican incumbents, there are no competitors yet for Reps. Addison McDowell (nearly $103,000) in the 6th or Rev. Mark Harris ($154,000) in the 8th.
Rep. Pat Harrigan ($127,000) and Democrat Ashley Bell ($0) are listed for the 10th; Rep. Chuck Edwards ($114,000) and Democrat Chris Harges ($0) are in the 11th; and Rep. Brad Knott (nearly $96,000) and fellow Republican Josh McConkey ($6,400) are in the 13th.
Among the seats held by Democrats, Rep. Don Davis ($528,000) will be challenged by Republican Sandy Roberson ($9,400) in the 1st; and there’s no candidates listed against Reps. Deborah Ross ($901,000) in the 2nd, Valerie Foushee in the 4th ($85,000) or Alma Adams ($410,000) in the 12th.
