9 Investigates: Clinton gets most financial support in NC

By Scott Wickersham

CHARLOTTE — Channel 9 is investigating which presidential candidates are getting the most financial support from people in North Carolina.

Donald Trump, leading the Republican race in the state, isn’t getting a lot of financial support from voters.

[ DOCUMENT: County-by-County donations ]

Political science professor Eric Heberlig said money is ammunition in elections because it helps get the candidate’s message out.

Democrat Hillary Clinton has received nearly 3,700 individual donations in North Carolina totaling almost $1.4 million.

[ DOCUMENT: NC contributions by businesses ]

Bernie Sanders had more individual donations, 7,000, but they add up to a lot less, $466,000.

Republican Ted Cruz had almost 4,500 donations for $500,000.

Marco Rubio had nearly 1,200 donations for $326,000. John Kasich had 57 donors who gave almost $42,000. 
 
Donald Trump had 107 people donate just over $30,000 to his campaign. 
 
Only about 2 to 3 percent of the population donates, so Heberlig doesn't think Trump's lower number is a reflection of his support here.
 
Trump hasn't made much effort to raise money and needs it less than other candidates.
 
Trump has relied on free media attention and has a knack for getting coverage.
 
Channel 9 also investigated which big local companies are supporting front-runners Trump and Clinton.
 
While some have political action committees, none of those PACS has donated money yet to Trump or Clinton.
 
But a small number of their employees have, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Duke Energy, Lowes Home Improvement and Nucor Steel, and they have overwhelmingly supported Clinton.
 
There are 68 donations to her campaign and five for Trump.
 
Heberlig said there could be a reason for that.
 
"Corporate America likes stability," he said. "So they favor moderate Democrats and mainstream Republicans."
 
Several Charlotte leaders each donated $500 to Clinton's campaign, including Mayor Jennifer Roberts and City Council members Vi Lyles and Julie Eiselt. Former Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter donated $2,000 to Clinton.

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