Detailed fundraising numbers from the Sharp and White Senate campaigns show a striking discrepancy in the source of both candidates' fundraising. In the fundraising quarter ending September 30, John Sharp loaned himself over $500,000 of the $615,000 he reported to the FEC. The following table breaks out the numbers:
| | Other Peoples' Money | Loans from Candidate | Contributions from Candidate | Total Raised | Expenditures |
| White: | $1,116,813 | $0 | $414,399 | $1,549,941 | $703,108 |
| Sharp: | $107,204 | $504,514 | $0 | $615,210 | $170,190 |
In actual contributions from campaign supporters, White outraised Sharp by over 10 to 1.
Both candidates contributed to their own campaigns: Sharp loaned himself money, while White contributed the $414,399 as part of a donor-matching program during the last three days week of the quarter. White and his wife Andrea matched donations that included $200,000 in online giving through ActBlue and the campaign website. That $200,000 raised online by White in the last three days week of the quarter is more than Sharp raised from all of his donors throughout the three months of the quarter.
It's also interesting to compare these numbers to the candidates' expenses. White is running a full state-wide campaign with organizers and physical office space in most regions of the state. However, he more than raised enough to cover his significant expenses. On the other hand, the Sharp campaign spent more money in Q3 than it took in from outside contributions.
With the DSCC openly encouraging White, Sharp may begin to feel more pressure to switch to another race where Democrats desperately need a strong candidate. Without the FEC limits of $2400 per person, Sharp would likely find it easier to raise money closer to the levels he did as Comptroller. Of course, Sharp has given no public indication that he is considering switching races. |
