The Fayetteville Observer notes the pending bill in the legislature to create a public financing pilot program for three of North Carolina's Council of State races.  The mention at the beginning of the article that most North Carolinians aren't familiar with these officeholders is interesting: perhaps, in addition to getting these candidates out of the money chase, campaigning using the Voter-Owned Elections model would create more contact between voters and candidates and hence greater familiarity with these powerful officials.