The money wasn't enough for them to retain their seats. Republican Congressman Tim Moore and State Senator Michael Lee lost their races in North Carolina to Democratic candidates who reported significantly lower campaign income.
In the 14th U.S. House of Representatives district, Moore reported earnings of $2.09 million during the election cycle, compared to $59,183 for Lakesha Womack, according to Federal Election Commission records.FEC), as of October 14.
The difference exceeded $2 million: for every dollar Womack's campaign received, Moore's campaign received about $35. That financial advantage did not prevent Womack from winning the seat Moore was seeking to retain for a second term in Washington, according to preliminary results.
The Republican had arrived in Congress after leading the state House of Representatives for a decade.
Money did not guarantee his re-election
In the state Senate's 7th district, which comprises most of New Hanover County, incumbent Senator Michael Lee also lost despite far outraising his rival.
Her campaign raised approximately $2.8 million, compared to $1.02 million for Democrat Jessica Bichler, according to a review of financial reports.
Bichler obtained 48,310 votes, 52.64%, compared to Lee's 43,469, equivalent to 47.36%, according to unofficial results.
The $1.78 million difference in fundraising in favor of the Republican did not translate into the votes needed to retain his seat in Raleigh.
The financial gap was already considerable by June. Up to that month, Michael Lee had raised $1.3 million during the election cycle, compared to Jessica Bichler's $172,000. For every dollar raised by the Democrat, the Republican had raised approximately $7.56.
Caroline Welles, CEO of The First AskThe organization that supported Bichler during her campaign highlighted the Democrat's victory in the state Senate's 7th district.
“Congratulations to Jessica for wresting North Carolina’s 7th Senate District from the Republicans. She took on one of the most powerful and well-funded Republicans in the state Senate,” Welles said in a statement.
Welles claimed that Lee's campaign disseminated AI-generated attack ads against Bichler.
She noted that the Democrat kept her focus on voters' concerns.
“Jessica remained focused on speaking with community voters about their schools, the rising cost of living, and everyday struggles. The First Ask is proud to have supported Jessica throughout her campaign,” he added.
Related: North Carolina joins a day of representation milestones in the United States
From High Point to Washington DC
The difference in resources also marked the contest for the 6th district of the federal House of Representatives.
Republican Congressman Addison McDowell reported campaign earnings of $1.46 million, compared to $232,325 for Democrat Cyril Jefferson, mayor of High Point, according to FEC records as of October 14. McDowell raised more than six times the amount of his rival.
However, Jefferson won with 140,001 votes, 51.14%, compared to McDowell's 133,737, equivalent to 48.86%, according to unofficial results.
The Democrat's victory left the Republican legislator without a second term in Washington.
Not even a $1.24 million advantage could save Hudson's seat
In District 9, Republican Congressman Richard Hudson lost his reelection bid despite reporting an income of $4.17 million, compared to Democrat Richard Ojeda's $2.93 million.
The Republican's economic advantage was approximately $1.24 million, 42% more than that of his opponent, according to federal reports at the same time.
The defeat had an additional weight for the Republican Party: Hudson chaired the Congressional Republican National Committee, which was responsible for helping to choose his party's candidates for the House of Representatives.
“I spent 24 years in the Army and have fought some tough battles. This is the one I will remember for the rest of my life,” Ojeda said in a November 3 press release.
"The residents of North Carolina's 9th district saw the man who ran the entire Republican financial machine and fired him," he said.
Ojeda also mentioned that the victory belongs to “every teacher, every nurse, every veteran, every family in Fort Bragg, and every worker who is fed up with seeing the billionaire class take everything. They deserve better. Starting in January, they will have it.”
Related: Richard Ojeda becomes the first Latino elected to the federal Congress from North Carolina
Barringer joined the Democrats who defeated Republican congressmen
Another case was that of Republican Brad Knott, in the 13th district. His campaign reported income of $1.70 million, while that of Democrat Paul Barringer registered $1.22 million as of October 14.
The difference was almost $482,000 in favor of Knott.
Barringer's income included $320,000 from loans the candidate himself took out, according to the FEC.
Barringer won the seat, joining the Democrats who defeated Republican congressmen in North Carolina.
“The votes are in and I’m thrilled to say we won! To everyone who volunteered, donated, or simply sent well wishes, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t wait to go to Washington and represent NC-13. Thank you!” Barringer wrote on his X account.
Rivera, first Latina in the state Senate
In State Senate District 4, Republican Buck Newton reported campaign income of $612,996, compared to Democrat Jess Rivera's $325,448.
The $287,548 difference in favor of the senator did not prevent Rivera from winning the seat, according to preliminary results.
In the state House of Representatives' 73rd district, Jonathan Almond raised $576,068, while Democrat Thomas Monks raised $128,214.
The Republican earned almost four and a half times the amount of his rival, with an advantage of $447,854.
Monks, however, obtained 17,333 votes, or 53.80%, compared to Almond's 14,884 votes, equivalent to 46.20%, according to unofficial results.
His victory snatched another seat from the Republicans in Cabarrus County.
“This campaign has never been just about me. It’s been about all of us: our families, our neighbors, our teachers, our workers, and the people who too often feel that no one in government is listening to them,” Monks said in his campaign page.
“Every conversation, every door knocked on, every call made, and every person who believed in this campaign helped us get to this moment. This victory belongs to all of us,” he said.
Related: Jess Rivera makes history as the first Latina elected to the North Carolina Senate
District 82, Latino Republican legislator loses
In that same county, the Republican Brian Echevarria He lost the 82nd district despite reporting income of $731,915, compared to the $220,746 of Democrat Chris Bishopp.
The difference was $511,169: for every dollar that entered Bishopp's campaign, Echevarría's received approximately $3.32.
Bishopp won with 20,956 votes, 55.98%, while Echevarría obtained 16,481, 44.02%, according to preliminary results.
Following his victory, Chris Bishop thanked his wife Kristine for her support, the voters for their trust, and his campaign team and volunteers for their hard work. The newly elected state representative, according to unofficial results, also acknowledged those who contributed money and encouraged him to keep going.
“My commitment is to continue working hard to earn your support and fight for the people of this district and the state,” he said.
Read also: Beyond the Democratic victory: five signs from the North Carolina elections
Foxx raised more than double, but Hubbard has a 99-vote lead.
In the 5th Congressional District, Republican Virginia Foxx reported campaign earnings of $2.19 million, compared to $863,260 for Democrat Chuck Hubbard, according to records from the FEC, as of October 14.
The congresswoman's advantage was approximately $1.33 million: for every dollar that came into Hubbard's campaign, Foxx's received about $2.54.
The difference was even greater when it came to available funds. Foxx reported a balance of $3.49 million, while Hubbard had $152,010 at the same time, almost 23 times less than the Republican.
That balance may include funds accumulated from previous cycles and does not equal what was raised during this campaign. Despite that financial advantage, Hubbard maintained a a lead of just 99 votes, according to the unofficial results of November 6.
The contest remained without a clear winner, with votes pending review that could change the outcome.
“So far, we’re leading by 99 votes. My team and I are prepared to fight to count every vote as we expand our office,” Hubbard said on his X account.
“To my neighbors in North Carolina’s 5th District for placing their trust in me to serve our community,” he said.
The narrow margin opens the possibility of a recount. The State Board of Elections explained that, after the county certifications the results, the trailing candidate can request a recount if the difference is 1% or less.
For contests under state jurisdiction, the deadline expires at noon on November 17.
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