The Wilmington Star-News Online in North Carolina published today a positive editorial ("Cleaner money, cleaner elections") on the state’s Voter-Owned Elections Pilot that is used for its top judicial positions and for three statewide positions.  The state’s next insurance commissioner raised “only about 5 percent of his campaign donations from people with ties to the insurance industry,” according to the Star-News. In comparison, the previous commissioner raised about two-thirds of his contributions from the industry he was elected to regulate.  Candidates that ran under North Carolina’s Clean Elections-style program pledged to limit big-donor money and campaign spending in return for public funds. To qualify, insurance commissioner candidates had to raise at least $29,750 from at least 750 in small donations (up to $200).  The nonpartisan N.C. Voters for Clean Elections coalition is working to expand public financing to include more statewide offices with direct regulatory authority over some aspect of state government.  Last month, North Carolina’s Raleigh News & Observer reported the positive numbers arising from election results there. These results and the laudatory public response demonstrate the growing support for Clean Elections.  Please consider a donation to Public Campaign to help us continue our work for Clean Elections nationwide.