Show Us the Money

Republican Bobby Hanig has raised $361,096 in his bid for North Carolina's 1st U.S. House District, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings. The North Carolina campaign finance 2026 data shows Hanig running as a challenger with a lean operation: his campaign has spent nearly all of what it raised, $360,859, leaving just $237 in cash on hand as of March 31, 2026.

Individual donors drove Hanig's fundraising, contributing $234,696 of his total. Political committees added $25,900. Hanig also loaned his campaign $100,500, though he has since repaid $98,000 of that amount. He still carries $2,500 in debt.

His campaign refunded $10,500 to individual donors during the reporting period, a notable line item given the campaign's tight cash position.

Outside groups have taken a small interest in the race. Grass Roots North Carolina/Forum for Firearms Education Political Victory Fund spent $923 in support of Hanig. WFW Action Fund Inc spent $365 opposing him. Total outside spending in the race: $1,288.

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PAC and Organizational Contributors

The $25,900 Hanig received from political committees represents about 7% of his total fundraising. No party committee money, from the Republican Party or any affiliated committee, appears in his filings. All committee contributions came from other political organizations. No refunds were issued to committees during the period.

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State Comparison

North Carolina congressional fundraising in the 2026 cycle is dominated by the state's U.S. Senate contests. The top three fundraisers among all North Carolina federal candidates are:

1. Roy Cooper (D), $26.8 million raised, $18.5 million cash on hand
2. Michael Whatley (R), $8.4 million raised, $2.5 million cash on hand
3. Thom Tillis (R, incumbent), $4.7 million raised, $3.7 million cash on hand

Roy Cooper's fundraising alone accounts for a striking share of the statewide total. Across all 81 North Carolina federal candidates, 2026 election campaign contributions have reached roughly $421 million. Hanig's $361,096 represents less than 0.1% of that figure.

Even within his own district, Hanig trails significantly. Sandy Roberson, a fellow Republican challenger in NC-1, has raised $3.5 million. Incumbent Democrat Don Davis has pulled in $3.2 million and holds $2.9 million in cash on hand, compared to Hanig's $237.

The Democratic Republican fundraising comparison across North Carolina shows Democrats with a modest edge statewide: 41 Democratic candidates have raised $41.1 million combined, while 31 Republican candidates have raised $35.2 million. North Carolina candidate donations to minor-party candidates (Independents, Greens, Libertarians, and Unaffiliated) total roughly $377,000 across nine candidates.

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Incumbents vs. Challengers

Incumbents in North Carolina are broadly outpacing challengers and open-seat candidates in the 2026 cycle. Among House incumbents with FEC filings, several carry cash reserves well above $1 million, including Don Davis ($2.9 million), Greg Murphy ($2.6 million), and Virginia Foxx ($3.2 million).

Challengers and open-seat candidates show a much wider range. A handful have raised over $1 million, but many have raised under $100,000. Hanig sits in the middle of that challenger pack by receipts, but his near-zero cash on hand sets him apart. With the primary approaching, most challengers facing well-funded incumbents will need to close significant financial gaps to remain competitive.

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*Source: Federal Election Commission (FEC), data current as of March 31, 2026.*

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