Braxton outspends opponent, 5-1: Full campaign spending report due January

Nov 30, 2008 (The Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- EQ | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- In his re-election bid for the N.C. House of Representative District 10 seat, Rep. Van Braxton, D-Lenoir, outspent his opponent 5 to 1 through October.

Beginning in January, Braxton's campaign spent nearly $150,000 through mid-October, while his Republican challenger, Stephen LaRoque, spent nearly $30,000 during the same time. The candidates filed their third quarter expense disclosure reports with the State Board of Elections in mid-October. Both Braxton and LaRoque said Friday they will file their campaign's fourth quarter full disclosure expense reports with the board by mid-January.

"In today's world, it takes a lot of money to run a campaign," Braxton said. "I had to spend a lot to counter (LaRoque's) negative acts."

Braxton said he spent about $50,000 on eight direct mailers, $25,000 on television advertisements and nearly $3,000 on print advertisements during his campaign.

By Oct. 18, Braxton's campaign had spent $147, 612, as compared to LaRoque's $28,042 during the same time. At the end of the third quarter, Braxton had $24,372 in campaign cash on hand while LaRoque had $52,790, according to the disclosure reports submitted to the SBOE.

"Campaigns have gotten very expensive to run," Braxton said. "I spent about $20,000 less this year than during my first campaign for the house."

Braxton said he spent more in 2006 on his campaign for advertising to gain more name recognition.

"I had to work more in rural areas during my first run for office because some people living there didn't know who I was," Braxton said. "This year I had better name recognition."

Braxton said if he decides to run for re-election in 2010, his campaign will spend more money for media advertisements earlier in the political season.

"I think we can do a better job next time," he said. "We didn't realize how big the early voter turnout was going to be."

Braxton said one-stop early voting has changed his focus for future elections. If he runs for re-election, he said his campaign will move its media purchasing slots up a few more weeks, targeting more early voters. North Carolina held one-stop early voting from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1. for the 2008 general election.

Overall, Braxton said he was satisfied with his campaign's spending efforts. After Oct. 18, Braxton said his campaign scaled back its spending.

"I am glad we won," he said. "I thank my supporters for their help."

LaRoque said he wasn't able to get the same amount of campaign funds before the election from political action committees, as compared to Braxton.

He attributed this inability to raise PAC funds because it was a difficult election cycle for Republican candidates and the popularity of president-elect Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

"Obama made the difference," LaRoque said.

During his campaign, a majority of LaRoque's campaign funds went towards direct mailers and polling phone calls.

The Republican candidate predicted that Braxton's campaign spending could be at nearly $200,000 when the fourth quarter reports are filed.

"He for sure outspent me but I don't know if it had any real impact on the election results," LaRoque said. "I just don't know."

LaRoque said Friday he wasn't sure yet what his fourth quarter campaign full disclosure expense report would show.

"It will be completed in January," he said.

Braxton was re-elected Nov. 4 to serve another two-year term for District 10, which includes Lenoir, Greene and Wayne Counties. Braxton defeated LaRoque, a former member of the N.C. House of Representatives, by 893 votes.

While Braxton defeated LaRoque in Greene County, his Republican challenger won in both Lenoir and Wayne counties.

Despite coming up short in the election, LaRoque on Friday thanked his supporters, especially new donors who contributed to his campaign.

To see the candidates' political committee disclosure reports, visit www.sboe.state.nc.us.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.

Campaign contributions of $1,000 or more for N.C. House -- District 10 candidates through October

Rep. Van Braxton D-Lenoir

Joe Hackney for House -- $4,000

Pryor Gibson Committee -- $1,000

Tucker for N.C. House -- $1,000

Committee to elect Bruce Goforth -- $1,000

Committee to elect Hugh Holliman -- $1,000

N.C. Medical Society -- $ 2,000

Embarq employees -- $1,000

Southeast Anesthesiology -- $ 2,000

N.C. Small Business PAC of Independent Insurance agents -- $2,000

Citizens for Higher Education -- $3,000

Blue Cross Blue Shield -- $1,250

N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers -- $ 2,000

East Carolina Anesthetic Assoc. -- $4,000

Wilmington Anesthesiologists -- $ 2,000

Critical Health Systems of N.C. -- $3,000

N.C. Pork Council -- $1,500

N.C. Farm Bureau Federation -- $ 2,000

N.C. Hospital Association -- $ 1,500

Conniesue and WC Oldnam of Cary -- $1,000

John McNairy of Wallace -- $ 2,000

Cameron McRae of Kinston -- $2,000

Myrtilla Brody of Kinston -- $1,000

Dwight Howard of Kinston -- $1,000

Rob Bizzell of Kinston -- $2,000

Suzanne Bizzell of Kinston -- $2,000

John and Leigh McNairy of Kinston -- $3,000

John Howard of Deep Run -- $1,000

Dr. Preecha Bhotiwihok of Kinston -- $1,000

Bert Alexander of Kinston fundraiser event -- $2483

N.C. Democratic House Committee in kind contributions -- $ 57,964

Republican challenger Stephen LaRoque, former N.C. House member from 2003-06

Chef and The Farmer fundraiser -- $2,455

Richard Cummings, Physician of Kinston -- $3,000

George Edwards Jr. Affordable Care of Kinston -- $4,000

Friends of Forestry OAC in Raleigh -- $1,500

Friends of Ruth Samuelson -- $ 1,000

Walter LaRoque Real Estate -- $1,000

Lenoir Recreation -- $1,500

Jerry Moody Agribusiness -- $1,000

Lloyd Moody CPA -- $1,500

The Republican House Majority Fund -- $16,000

LaRoque Management Group Inc. -- $25,000

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