North Carolina Republican Establishment Donors Take A Look At Ben Carson

A Charlotte fundraiser this month for the neurosurgeon features some co-hosts who’ve backed Republican Party efforts and Mitt Romney — not a small-donor crowd.

Ben Carson is surging in polls and raking in millions — and, in the more unusual development, establishment GOP donors in key states are taking notice.

The latest example: The neurosurgeon-turned-politician is expected to attend a fundraiser benefitting his presidential bid in Charlotte, North Carolina, later this month. An invitation for the event — one of 30 nationwide in the coming weeks — lists some bold-faced names as co-hosts.

They include former Rep. Robin Hayes, who also served as N.C. GOP chairman during the 2012 election cycle; Frank Harrison, CEO and Chairman of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, who also sits on the board of the American Beverage Association; and members of the Petty family, considered the "First Family of NASCAR." Carson is known for his small-dollar fundraising operation — but, as the New York Times reported last week, he is also now tapping into the more lucrative realm of private donors. In terms of the North Carolina fundraiser, some of the co-hosts have previously given to Republican Party committees and backed Mitt Romney in the last presidential race.

The fundraiser, which includes a VIP reception for those who give between $1,000 and $2,700 and a general reception for donors giving $250 and more, will be at the home of new donors Candace and Michael Salamone.

In an email to supporters, Candace Salamone said she and her husband had "never been involved in politics before, but feel strongly that the Lord has called us to get behind Dr. Carson both in support and in prayer. It's been amazing to see what the Lord is doing along the campaign trail — as the numbers rise."

While Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker are struggling in polls, donors who previously gave to those candidates or were considering giving to them are giving Carson another look, according to Carson's allies. The campaign has brought in $5 million so far this month, according to the Associated Press.

Andy Yates, who is running a pro-Carson super PAC called One Vote, said his group has been in conversations with several wealthy GOP donors — some of whom typically support establishment candidates — in the aftermath of the last debate and subsequent decline in polls for several candidates.

"We're definitely seeing more interest from those types of folks," he said. "They now see Dr. Carson as a viable candidate. They are starting to come on board with Carson."

Yates said for many of those major donors Carson might still not be the first choice, but they see him as a better option than Trump and are offering to write big checks.

The latest CBS News/New York Times poll released Tuesday found Carson nipping at Trump's heels. The poll showed Trump with 27% of the support and Carson with 23%.

Yates declined to name donors, but added: "We're hearing all the way from people who can give $10 to $100,000 to those who can give, if they feel so inclined, in the millions."

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