Berger rakes in $$$ at Goodnights'

Senate leader Phil Berger pulled in more than $300,000 at a fundraiser at the Cary home of Jim and Ann Goodnight of SAS on Tuesday, the state Senate Republican caucus reports. 

Berger, a Republican from Eden, had received close to $1 million in campaign contributions at the end of June, the latest reporting period. A little more than one-third of that amount came from political action committees.

Berger doesn’t exactly need the money to retain his seat. He’s running against a weak opponent: retired farmer and rancher from Stoneville, Bobby R. Stanley, who was a Rockingham County commissioner. But as the leader of his party, Berger is in a position to share the wealth with other Republican candidates.

The Goodnights have long contributed to political campaigns on a state and national level, giving to candidates from both parties. Earlier this year, they hosted a fundraiser for Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton's gubernatorial campaign.