The Democratic candidates for state treasurer are releasing their fundraising numbers.

Buncombe County Commissioner David Young started it off Wednesday with the announcement yesterday that he raised $437,857 as of Dec. 31, including more than $230,000 in December alone.

His donors included Raleigh real estate executive Steve Stroud, former ambassador Jeanette Hyde, philanthropist Walter Davis and Raleigh community leader Ann Goodnight.

Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel announced later that day that he raised $464,000 as of Dec. 31.

The other Democratic contender, state Sen. Janet Cowell, released her numbers today. She said she raised $209,000 during the final quarter of 2007.

The actual campaign finance reports will not be available until the end of the month. All figures are based on campaign press releases.

No word so far on fundraising from the two Republican candidates in the race, Reps. Bill Daughtridge and Dale Folwell.

David Young, a Democratic candidate for treasurer, raised more than $60,000 at fundraiser Wednesday at the home of former Ambassador Jeanette and Wallace Hyde in Raleigh.

Among those who attended were Wake County Commissioner Betty Lou Ward, philanthropist Ann Goodnight; Blue Cross/Blue Shield CEO Bob Greczyn; former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan; former Glaxo chairman Charlie Sanders; former state Democratic chair Wayne McDevitt; former Texas oilman Walter Davis, and Raleigh real estate executives Steve Stroud and Roddy Jones.

Young, a Buncombe County commissioner, raised the money in the home town of two his opponents — Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel and state Sen. Janet Cowell. They are seeking to succeed incumbent Richard Moore, who is running for governor.

The Carolina Hurricanes head coach gave to Mitt Romney.

Peter Laviolette, the Stanley Cup-winning coach of the Triangle-area hockey team, paid $500 to attend an Aug. 30 fundraiser for the former Massachusetts governor at the Wakefield home of Jim Rutherford, the team's general manager, according to campaign finance reports.

Another sort-of Cane at the event: NAI Carolantic Realty owner Steve Stroud, a board member of the Centennial Authority, which owns the Hurricanes' home, the RBC Center.

Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, who is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, also paid $500 to meet Romney.

"He's an exceptionally bright guy, obviously very capable," Orr said, though he noted he has not yet chosen a Republican presidential candidate.

The event's sponsors declined to say the amount raised, though campaign finance reports show Romney raised about $23,000 on Aug. 30 and 31 from about two-dozen Triangle-area residents. If so, that's about a fourth what organizers hoped to raise.