U.S. Rep. David Price has $218,586 on hand for his campaign to keep his seat.

Since 2007, the Chapel Hill Democrat has raised $73,000, mostly from Political Action Committees, according to federal campaign finance records.

Republican challenger Frank Roche has raised $10,879, mostly through individual contributions. Republican George Hutchins has loaned himself $5,000.

Frank Roche says he wants some answers about a program at UNC that has little to show for more than $7 million it has received to help deployed soldiers of the National Guard and Army Reserves.

Roche, a Republican challenger to Democratic U.S. Rep. David Price of Chapel Hill, issued a release today questioning the money spent by the Citizen Soldier Support Program. The program was created in 2004 when Price inserted $10 million for it in the federal budget.

Internal audits at UNC have found that the program has produced a lot of paperwork, but few concrete results.

"Where is the oversight?" Roche asked. "It adds insult to injury that this money was intended to help our National Guardsmen and Army Reserve, who leave jobs and families to fight for our freedom."

Frank Roche, said he is tired of watching U.S. Rep. David Price coast to easy election victories.

Roche, who moved to Apex from Manhattan in 2007, has taken time off from his career as a foreign exchange trader to run for Price's seat next year.

"He has taken these election cycles with one arm behind his back," Roche said. "We're hoping to get him a little more involved this time."

Roche, 46, said he's seen skepticism from within Republican circles about his chances of unseating Price, who has been in Congress since 1987, except for one, two-year term.

"It's a common refrain from political operatives in this state. A little grin and 'good luck to you,'" Roche said.

Roche said he plans to run a campaign focused on the U.S.'s interests in trade and foreign issues. He opposes Democratic proposals on health care and a cap and trade system on carbon emissions.

Earlier this month, B.J. Lawson, who lost to Price in the last election, decided not to run again.

DURHAM — Republicans are lining up to challenge Democratic Congressman David Price next year.

B.J. Lawson, a Cary businessman and former physician, who lost to Price in November said he plans to launch another bid, Rob Christensen reports.

Lawson, who said he will formally announce his candidacy on his website next week, said that his 37 percent showing was strong considering the Democratic-leaning district. He said one of the problems in defeating Price, is that the Republicans put up a different opponent every two years.

But Lawson will likely have competition in a GOP primary.

Frank Roche, 46, a semi-retired financial industry executive from Apex, said he plans to run as well.

He said he hoped to win over support of more traditional conservatives, who may not be comfortable with some of Lawson’s more Libertarian leanings.

Both attended a luncheon of the Durham County Republican Women on Tuesday at the Hope Valley Country Club.