campaign finance

February 4, 2013 - Critics say the president's plan for a new nonprofit group to push his second-term agenda opens the door to influence by corporations and other big donors.

January 25, 2013 - Super PACs and outside spending groups spent millions on state-level races in North Carolina. Who are these groups? Where did there money come from, and where did it go?

January 8, 2013 - The parent company of Reynolds Tobacco is a key sponsor of events celebrating North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's inauguration this weekend, capping an aggressive year of political spending by the tobacco giant.

December 21, 2012 - Wealthy Republican donor Art Pope has been building influence and clout for years in North Carolina. Appointed this week to direct the state's budget, he now finds himself with his hands on the levers of power.

November 21, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope's money helped the GOP take control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010. In 2012, Pope's family, business and groups helped fuel even bigger Republican gains in the battleground state.

November 14, 2012 - Outside groups unleashed more than $14 million into North Carolina state races, helping fuel Republican victories across the state.

November 3, 2012 - A new Institute for Southern Studies/Facing South report finds that money from outside groups is steadily climbing in state-level elections in North Carolina. What impact will they have on Election Day?