N.C. Rep. Karen Ray’s re-election campaign spent $125,699 in the current election cycle, according to reports filed with the state Board of Elections. That is more than six times challenger Robert Brawley’s expenditures of $18,372.

Ray’s spending is surely a record for a local race. Her legislative district includes just over half the voters in Iredell County, but her expenditures were at least $100,000 more than any candidate has ever spent in a countywide primary for County Commissioner.

Ray’s six-fold advantage in spending resulted in a relatively close 52/48 percent victory in the primary election. Her campaign spent over $82 for each of the 1,523 votes she received.

A large portion of Ray’s campaign expenditures were used for direct mail to voters. Most of the mailers were highly critical of Brawley.