Holding backers form Super PAC

Supporters of  George Holding have formed a Super PAC to help him in his effort to win the 13th congressional district seat.

The Super PAC, called the American Foundations Committee Inc., will enable supporters of the former federal prosecutor to donate unlimited amounts of money. The committee plans to use the donations to run an independent TV campaign on Holding's behalf.

“We'd like to raise money to get on TV and let people know a little about George,” said Palmer Sugg, a Raleigh attorney involved in setting up the PAC. Also involved are Joe Knott, a Raleigh attorney, and Boyd Sturges, a Louisburg attorney.

Sugg, who was active in the campaigns of former Sen. Jesse Helms and former Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner, is a long-time friend of Holding.  Knott is prominent in Republican politics and church affairs and is the son of long-time county commissioner J.T. Knott.

Nearly all the presidential campaigns now have Super PACs, but they are rarer for congressional campaigns. Federal campaign rules limit donations to $2,500 per person per election, but  there are no limits to how much a person can give to a Super PAC.

But there can be no direct coordination between the campaign and the PAC.

Holding is a member of a prominent family that founded First Citizens Bank.

Holding is facing two other candidates in the May 8th primary, Paul Coble, the chairman of the Wake County commissioners and a former Raleigh mayor, and Bill Randall, who was the GOP nominee for the 13th district seat last time.

The current congressman, Democrat Brad Miller is not seeking re-election to the seat that has been made Republican leaning by the legislature as part of redistricting