When the Rowan Republicans voted Stephen Kidd as the new chairman last week, it picked the most successful fundraiser since the 21st century started, according to records from the N.C. Board of Elections.

Kidd’s closest competition in fundraising for the Rowan Republican Party was Greg Edds in 2012. Edds served as chairman from 2009 to 2013. Kidd was chairman immediately prior to Edds, dating back to 2005.

Both Edds and Kidd were chairmen during presidential years. Kidd was chairman during President Barack Obama’s first successful run for office. Edds was chairman during the second. Both presidential race years represented the largest fundraising amount for Edds and Kidd. In the 2008 election cycle, when Kidd was chairman, the Rowan Republican Party raised about $38,500, according to state election records. In 2012, when Edds was chairman, the party raised about $36,000, according to state election records.

Records during Edds’ highest year were bolstered by a $10,000 contribution from local attorney Bill Graham during 2012’s second quarter.

In addition to the presidential race, 2008 included Pat McCrory’s first run for governor, Kay Hagan’s upset of Elizabeth Dole for U.S. Senate and current state representative Carl Ford’s first successful run for the board of county commissioners.

In non-presidential years, the Republican Party raised about $4,000 more under Edds than Kidd.

In all years, the majority of contributions when Edds and Kidd were chairman came from individuals rather than political organizations.

Every other chairman from 2000 to present day fell significantly short of Kidd’s and Edds’ highest fundraising numbers.

John Leatherman, the previous chairman, comes in third for highest dollar amount raised in a single year. Leatherman was chairman for one election cycle — 2014. In his only election cycle, the Rowan Republican party raised about $19,800, according to state election records.

In 2004, the Rowan Republican party raised about $15,900, according to state records. In 2002, it raised about $11,700. In 2000, the party raised about $10,600.

Petition on White House website goes viral

With nearly 300,000 signatures since March 9, a petition on the White House’s website accuses North Carolina’s senators and 45 others of treason.

The petition addresses a letter to Iran from 47 U.S. Senators. Among those 47 were Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, and Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC. The letter warned Iran that a nuclear deal reached between the country and President Barack Obama could be undone “with the stroke of a pen” by a future president.

The letter drew criticism from both social media and traditional news outlets.

The petition, posted the same day as the letter, states the senators violated an 18th century law by signing and sending the letter. Called the Logan Law, it prohibits unauthorized citizens from negotiating with a foreign government. It comes with a prison term of up to three years.

The law was named for Pennsylvania physician and Republican George Logan who sailed to Paris to negotiate an end to a war with France.

Perhaps ironically, Logan was never prosecuted under his own law. And, no one has ever been convicted under the law.

McInnis introduces school calendar bill into state senate

Dozens of senators have sponsored one. Now, it’s Sen. Tom McInnis, R-25, turn to introduce a school calendar bill into the state legislature.

Earlier in the session, Ford and Rep. Harry Warren, R-77, introduced bills to give the Rowan-Salisbury and Kannapolis school systems authority over their start and end dates.

This week, McInnis introduced a nearly identical bill. It would apply to Anson, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland and Stanly counties. Many of the bills, including the one introduced by McInnis, repeat the same text, with the only unique portion pertaining to the school system that the bill applies to.

Many state representatives have sponsored a bill relating to their home county’s school calendar.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.