Cooper and Democrats are out-raising GOP opponents as these NC campaigns get started

RALEIGH -- Democratic Party candidates have a sizable fundraising advantage in several Council of State races, including the campaign for governor.

Campaign finance reports are being released this week for the first half of 2019, offering a glimpse of how the races are going — as well as which candidates in contested primaries could be frontrunners.

In the race for governor, incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper raised $4.8 million in the six-month period, with a total of $5.6 million in his account as of June 30. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who plans to formally launch his gubernatorial campaign in August, posted $1.33 million raised and $1.01 million cash on hand.

A second Republican candidate, state Rep. Holly Grange, announced she would run for governor after the six-month period ended.

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