Eyewitness News compared the financial records for each candidate. After circling every address on Republican John Lassiter's list and on Democrat Anthony Foxx's list, it turns out that 1,018 of Lassiter's 1,158 contributors are local, or about 88 percent, and 782 of Foxx's 1,079 are local, or about 72 percent.

What do the numbers really mean for the candidates? It depends who you ask.

Lassiter said they prove he's more tied to Charlotte and more committed to locals.

"My opponent has decided that they're going to bring dollars in from all around the country -- political dollars coming in -- that have a perspective that does not match the views of this city," he said. Thank you for participating. Which person would you like to see become the next Charlotte mayor? Which person would you like to see become the next Charlotte mayor? Republican John Lassiter Democrat Anthony Foxx

Foxx said the numbers just show Lassiter's tight with local developers and that Foxx is not.

"I'm not someone who won't work with developers, but I don't work for them. I never have. I never will," he said.

Political expert Catawba College professor Michael Bitzer said voters don't seem to care where dollars come from and that they stick with party lines.

"If you're a Democrat, you're going to support Democrats 90 percent of the time. If you're Republican, they're going to support Republicans 90 percent of the time," he said.

Still, some voters said they do like to know who is giving the money, especially when if it comes from outside Charlotte.

"To me, the source does matter,” said voter Graylen Hare. “Friends and family would be OK, but special interest groups with large donations to me have an agenda to push through and that would concern me."

• VIDEO: Eyewitness News Sits Down With Mayoral Candidate John Lassiter (R) • VIDEO: Eyewitness News Sits Down With Mayoral Candidate Anthony Foxx (D)

Previous Stories: October 25, 2009: Thousands Cast Early Votes In Mecklenburg County October 22, 2009: Mayoral Candidates Make Home-Stretch Push At Barbecue, On TV October 13, 2009: Charlotte Mayoral Candidates Weigh In On Mall's Future September 28, 2009: Charlotte Mayoral Debate Canceled After Candidate Withdraws September 16, 2009: Lassiter Easily Wins Charlotte GOP Mayoral Primary August 27, 2009: Early Voting Begins In Charlotte August 19, 2009: Campaign Contributions Could Hint At Next Charlotte Mayor July 31, 2009: Candidates In Charlotte Mayoral Race Raise Big Money