Jack Nichols will kick off his state Senate campaign Thursday.

The Raleigh attorney and former Wake County commissioner will hold a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at a former church on St. Mary's Street that is being renovated into a private home.

Among those expected to attend are co-hosts Frank and Julia Daniels and Lonnie and Carol Poole.

Others include Wake school board member Beverley Clark, Sherwood and Eve Smith, Gale Adcock, Sandy Babb and Barrett Kays, Rachel and Sid Eagles, Stephanie Bass and Bill Homan, and Roddy and Eve Jones. 

Nichols, a Democrat, is running for the seat currently held by Sen. Janet Cowell, who is running for state treasurer.

Hampton Dellinger has more than a half million in cash on hand.

The Raleigh attorney and former legal counsel to Gov. Mike Easley reported that he has over $520,000 on hand for his bid for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, Rob Christensen reports.

He raised the money with the help of some high profile individuals including historian John Hope Franklin, author Frances Mayes, jazz musician Branford Marsalis, and defense attorney Wade Smith.

One of his chief rivals, state Sen. Walter Dalton, a Rutherfordton attorney, had earlier reported that he had $570,000 cash on hand at the end of the first six months of 2007. Dalton's backers include former Charlotte Mayor John Belk, former Democratic kingmaker Bert Bennett, and Frank Daniels, former publisher of The News and Observer.

Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse, another Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, reported having $101,600 on hand.

John Edwards is bringing in the big guns for one last push before the second quarter ends.

The former North Carolina senator is calling together some of his biggest supporters, including former Gov. Jim Hunt, Raleigh attorney David Kirby and former UNC-Chapel Hill basketball coach Dean Smith, for one final push to raise money, Rob Christensen reports.

Edwards has scheduled a high dollar fund raiser for Saturday, June 30, at the home of Steve and Louise Coggins, neighbors of his summer homat on Figure 8 Island. The event will cost $2,300 for hosts, $1,000 for sponsors and $500 for patrons.

His campaign raised $14 million in the first quarter, but reportedly may have trouble matching that figure for the second quarter as it seeks to stay competitive with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

A list of the major attendees after the jump.

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