2022-2026: Jennifer Balkcom Took More Than $5,000 In Campaign Cash From Duke Energy’s Corporate PAC, As Duke Energy Was Tied To Dark-Money Mailers Supporting S.B. 266
2022-2026: Balkcom Took More Than $5,000 In Campaign Cash From Duke Energy Corporation PAC
2022-2026: Balkcom Received More Than $5,000 In Campaign Contributions From Duke Energy Corporation PAC. [North Carolina State Board of Elections, Transaction Search By Entity, accessed 8/13/26]
2022-2026: Balkcom Campaign Receipts From Duke Energy Corporation PAC | ||
|---|---|---|
Date | Contributor | Amount |
9/6/22 | Duke Energy Corporation PAC | $500.00 |
11/17/23 | Duke Energy Corporation PAC | $1,000.00 |
7/26/24 | Duke Energy Corporation PAC | $2,000.00 |
1/22/26 | Duke Energy Corporation PAC | $2,000.00 |
Total: | $5,500.00 | |
[North Carolina State Board of Elections, Transaction Search By Entity, accessed 8/13/26]
2023: Balkcom Said She Attended The Duke Energy Update Meeting
2023: Balkcom Said She Attended The Duke Energy Update Meeting In Hendersonville. “Today, I attended the Duke Energy Update meeting in Hendersonville that covered the topics of grid resiliency, storm prep, and smart energy. At the meeting, the Duke Energy Foundation presented Henderson County Emergency Management with a $50,000 grant check. Receiving the grant funds from Henderson County were Bill Lapsley, County Commissioner, and Jimmy Brissie, Emergency Services Director. The grant funds will be used to support the county's All-Hazards Response Initiative to do the following: Host an All-Hazards Strike Team Leader Class (in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College) Purchase a Rapid Deployment Shelter System for use as an Incident Command Post in the field Purchase a Water Rescue Trailer to transport boats and deployment supplies for the Henderson County Technical Rescue Team.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 1/27/23]
Image: see original report, p. 60
[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 1/27/23]
Duke Energy Was Accused Of Using Dark Money To Fund Mailers Encouraging Democrats To Override The Governor’s Veto Of S.B. 266
July 2025: Duke Energy Was Tied To A “Dark Money Entity” Sending Mailers In Support Of S.B. 266. As North Carolina lawmakers prepare to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a controversial energy bill, constituents are receiving mailers from a dark money entity with ties to Duke Energy’s industrial and commercial customers. [...] Constituents of some of the Democrats who voted with Republicans on S. 266 have received mailers from an obscure nonprofit about the upcoming override vote that repeats challenged claims about cost savings to customers and asks recipients to call and thank their representative for supporting it. [...] The text on the mailer says it was paid for by Citizens for NC Jobs, a nonprofit that registered with the state in January 2025 and launched a Facebook page on March 13, three days after the legislation was initially introduced as S. 261. [...] In paperwork filed with the state, Citizens for NC Jobs disclosed its registering entity as ‘WASLAW’ and gave among its addresses that of Ward and Smith, a North Carolina law firm. Ward and Smith practice before the North Carolina Utilities Commission as counsel for two organizations representing the interests of Duke Energy’s large industrial and commercial customers: Carolina Industrial Group for Fair Utility Rates (CIGFUR) and Carolina Utility Customers Association (CUCA). Susan Vick, a lobbyist for the groups, told EPI that her firm merely registered the paperwork for the nonprofit, has had no further contact, and was unaware of the mailers.” [Energy and Policy Institute, 7/25/25]