(RALEIGH) -- Some members of the GOP oppose public funding of elections in the state and have introduced legislation to halt the practice. On the other hand, Damon Circosta of the North Carolina Center for Voter Education says he would like instead to see it expanded to other elective offices.

"I think that it would do well in a whole bunch different arenas," said Circosta.  "Maybe not everywhere, but it has certainly worked well appellate judiciary.  There's been a pilot program for some Council of State offices like the insurance commissioner.  The only people who are giving money to the insurance commissioner's race were people who are going to be in front of the insurance commissioner at some point.  It does certainly seem to work in arenas like that."

The measure had been unveiled by Democratic leaders as the centerpiece of a major ethics bill, paid for by relatively modest new fees on the businesses and firms regulated by the elected offices involved.  Those include attorney general, state treasurer, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner and secretary of state.