Raleigh, N.C. — Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, the Democratic nominee for governor, significantly trails his Republican rival in the fundraising chase, according to numbers released by both campaigns. 

Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican nominee, reported he had $4.4 million on hand and that he had raised $2.2 million between late April and June 30.

Dalton reported that he had raised $2.4 million for the entire election cycle, but has spent much of that during the campaign for the May 8 primary. He had $714,479 cash on hand going into July.

“Walter Dalton has shown his ability to win a competitive primary in a compressed calendar and then immediately switch gears to the general election campaign," Dalton campaign manager Caroline Valand said. "We’re pleased with the support Walter Dalton is getting and the momentum he is building everyday for what will be a close, hard-fought, and victorious campaign."

Dalton jumped into the race after incumbent Gov. Bev Perdue announced two weeks before the filing period opened that she would not run for re-election. He fought a pitched campaign against former Congressman Bob Etheridge and state Rep. Bill Faison. 

By contrast, McCrory faced no challenger who had anywhere near his name recognition or funding and coasted to victory. 

"It's not surprising that it's hard to raise campaign funds as a candidate running to continue the failed policies of Gov. Perdue," said McCrory campaign spokesman Ricky Diaz. "North Carolinians are hungry for a change of leadership and are looking for an outsider to come in and fix the state's broken government and broken economy."