Candidates for Senate seats in the North Carolina General Assembly representing Greene, Lenoir, and Jones counties reported their campaign finances for the second quarter of 2020. The general election will take place on Nov. 3, 2020. Neuse News will provide live election results coverage that evening.

Greene County

In Greene County, incumbent Sen. Don Davis is running against challenger Karen Kozel for the District 5 seat in the North Carolina Senate.

Davis was born in the town of Snow Hill and was first elected to the post in 2008, representing Pitt, Wayne, and Greene counties. Defeated for re-election in 2010, Davis ran again and won the Senate seat in the redrawn 5th District in the 2012 election.

Kozel began a homeschooling group in Eastern NC that served Greene, Pitt, and Wayne County families Kozel is a former North Carolina House Representative from the 10th District, who was selected to finish a term.

In the second quarter of 2020, Davis started with $45,650 cash on hand, received $2,475 in individual contributions, and $7,000 from other political committees (PACs). Davis ended the quarter with $51,915 cash on hand. Kozel’s second-quarter report was not available.

Lenoir County

In Lenoir County, incumbent Sen. Jim Perry is running against Donna Lake for the District 7 seat in the NC Senate. Perry is a native of Kinston and serves on the Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Health Care, Commerce and Insurance, Pensions and Retirement and Aging, State and Local Government Committees.

Retired Air Force Colonel Lake served as a combat veteran, intensive care and community health nurse, and healthcare CEO.

Lake raised $87,711 from individual contributions in the second quarter to Perry’s $41,251. Lake raised $10,685 from political party committees and $23,700 from other political committees (PACs) while Perry raised $28,952 from other political committees (PACs).

Perry finished the quarter with $463,604 on hand and Lake finished with $140,520.

Jones County

In Jones County, the general election will offer the seat vacated by Sen. Harry Brown. Candidates Ike Johnson and Michael Lazzara are competing for the NC Senate District 6 seat. Johnson retired at the rank of Major from the United States Marine Corps after 27 years of service. Lazzara is the operator of a chain of restaurants and a sign company. He serves as a leader for the City of Jacksonville.

Lazzara out-raised his opponent with $3,450 in individual contributions to Johnson’s $1,500. Lazzara finished the quarter with $2,072 cash on hand to Johnson’s $678.