News 14 Carolina - Political Connections

Got bucks? That seems to be the question you need to answer if you want to run for office. Campaign finance reports released show John Edwards broke records for his $14 million raised in the first three months of 2007. Oh wait, he was nearly doubled by Hilary Clinton with $26 million (she added $10 mill of her own to make $36). Still waiting on Obama.

If that's not crazy enough, consider some of these state numbers. The last two U.S. Senate races have been $22 and $26 million respectively. The gubernatorial bid will likely cost each candidate $15-20 million if not more.

At the state legislature, candidates together raised $1 mill in 1976, 5.6 in 1994, and by 2006 that number jumped to $30+ million.

Can anyone run for office these days? Reformers say not if you don't have the dough or a lot of friends with it. Statistics show 1% give 90% of the money in NC campaigns.

Food for thought, or perhaps money for thought?