CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former pastor Mark Harris is back to challenge Robert Pittenger for the Ninth Congressional District. While their respective websites can tell you where the candidates stand on issues, it's more difficult to understand "who" is funding these campaigns and how money factors into the race.
Channel 9 went digging into campaign finance records and sat down to discuss the findings with the candidates.
"I think we need to know that our public officials are being 'held' accountable," Pittenger said.
Harris also readily agreed to talk: “I'm one of the most transparent people you're ever going to meet."
Harris has raised approximately $572,000 while Pittenger has raised approximately $1,267,000 to date. Our review of campaign filings uncovered one irregularity with the paperwork submitted by Harris. A contribution of $5,000 was incorrectly listed as an "individual" donation.
It was the only PAC contribution made to the Harris campaign. Every other donation came from individuals capped at $2,700. We checked and Harris has since amended his filing. By contrast, Pittenger has pulled in close to $600,000 from political action committees.
Investigative reporter Paul Boyd asked Pittenger how he answers criticism that he's primarily being funded by PAC's.
"These are business folks and they are glad to have somebody there who understands business. I'm a businessman," Pittenger explained.
The incumbent congressman operates another fundraising operation called: "The Pittenger Victory Fund" that's registered as a "joint fundraising committee" and operates under different rules. Individual contributions are not capped at $2,700 and the money raised here is used primarily to support other Republicans. Pittenger receives similar support in return.
The top five contributors are high profile businessmen in the Charlotte area. Former Bank of America executive James Hance Jr. contributed $25,000. Auto titans Felix Sabates and Randy Marrion gave the same amount. Tech billionaire Jim Goodnight contributed $43,800. The owner of the Charlotte Checkers, Michael Kahn, gave $50,000 to Pittenger's PAC.
Channel 9 also wanted to know more about the candidates' personal finances.
"My net worth I would say is probably just over a million dollars," explained Harris, who quit his job as pastor of Charlotte's First Baptist Church. He earned a salary of $156,000 per year before leaving, according to his public financial disclosure.
Pittenger is paid $174,000 per year as a congressman. We also looked through his financial disclosure report that shows millions of dollars in assets and asked him to share the current value.
"In terms of those holdings, maybe $4 million. Something like that," Pittenger said. But the $4 million reported on Pittenger's "Schedule A" is only half the story.
He also owns a 10,000 square-foot home in Quail Hollow.
"It's just a place to live," Pittenger said with understated modesty. Pittenger and his wife have been trying to sell the home for almost six months. They are asking more than $5 million for the home.
We asked him why they were selling.
"We don't need to live in that big house anymore and she'd like to downsize," Pittenger explained, stating his mortgage with Carolina Premier Bank stands at about $1 million.
Harris also owes roughly $200,000 on his South Charlotte home through a Wells Fargo mortgage. "Mecklenburg County tells me that my house is worth $477,000," Harris said.
Pittenger sold his stake in "Pittenger Land Investments" after federal authorities found no wrongdoing in their investigation, which was closed last year.
"That was part of our life that's behind us now," the congressman explained.
Early voting continues throughout the ninth Congressional District this week. Stay with Channel 9 for full primary night coverage Tuesday.
Cox Media Group
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