73,000. That's the number of miles that North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin (D) put on his personal vehicle traveling the state during the 2008 campaign. How did he do it? By opting in to the North Carolina Voter-Owned Election program. Under the system, a candidate can qualify for a public grant by acquiring a minimum of 2,000 small contributions between $10 and $100 from registered voters in the state and agree not to raise any large donations. Once qualified, a candidate is free from constant fund-raising and is able to focus on reaching voters.

Unlike previous traditional campaigns, where much of the day was spent on the phone with potential campaign contributors, Commissioner Goodwin was able to spend most of his time with voters, getting his ideas across to them and more importantly, hearing directly from them. No stranger to running for elected office, Goodwin previously served in the North Carolina state legislature and unsuccessfully ran statewide for Labor Commissioner in 2004.

"It was night and day," said Goodwin describing the difference between running under the traditional system versus the Voter-Owned program. Running for Commissioner of Labor in 2004, Goodwin estimated that he spent 50-75% of his time raising money. That was time not being spent with voters or debating the issues. "Not only does using time that way do a disservice to voters, but it's also a sad commentary on those who are interested in public service," said Goodwin.

Another difference between Goodwin's race in 2004 and under the Voter-Owned program in 2008 can be summed up with two numbers: two and twenty-two. In 2004, there were only two debates among the candidates and in 2008 there were twenty-two! "This was a huge benefit to the public," said Goodwin.

Goodwin had much more time to get to know people from all over the state. "I was able to visit all 100 counties and meet with voters and community groups from all over...not like 2004, when I was on the phone most of the day," said Goodwin. This allowed Goodwin and his small, but effective staff, comprised mostly of volunteers, to earn voters' support through "sweat equity, and not the sheer volume of glossy mailings."

Qualifying for the program in a statewide race was no easy task. Beginning with friends and family, Goodwin sought his qualifying contributions from many of the same people who wrote him checks in previous campaigns and he noticed a change in attitude right away. "I found that just about everybody was more than willing to write a small check to help me qualify and were even relieved that I wasn't asking them for a big contribution...and some people who simply would not write me a check under the traditional system were much more eager to get involved in the 2008 race, and not just with money," commented Goodwin.

One of only a handful of statewide publicly financed elected officials around the country, Goodwin would like to see the public financing program expanded to more North Carolina Council of State races and eventually the legislature as well. "I think we've seen that the system works...and I'd like to see all North Carolina races have the public financing option," said Goodwin. There is currently a bill to expand the number of Council of State races with the public financing option and a legislative pilot program bill in the North Carolina legislature. Commissioner Goodwin has advocated for both.

Born on George Washington's birthday, and a self-described history buff, Goodwin has had a passion for public service since he was a child. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Law and returning to his hometown to practice there for thirteen years, he went on to become the youngest North Carolina state representative at the time. He was re-elected four times and has been honored by Common Cause and the North Carolina Educators Association.

In addition to his current duties as Insurance Commissioner, Goodwin also teaches Sunday school at First United Methodist Church, is a member of Kiwanis Club and currently serves as the President of the North Carolina Center for Voter Education.