A sharp-eyed TAPster noticed a big difference between two potential 2020 opponents:

Governor Cooper is rewriting the book on how to lead and strengthen a party, helping raise nearly $6 million into NCDP through Break the Majority to support legislative candidates statewide and break the Republican supermajority. Break the Majority is giving Democrats the financial backing to go toe to toe with Republicans — no small feat when Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers with all of the advantages of incumbency, including PAC money.

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Dan Forest, the highest-ranking Republican in Raleigh and presumptive gubernatorial candidate, is raising millions into a party account that appears to just be for him, siphoning much-needed resources away from GOP candidates in a wave year and hanging them out to dry. Could that $1.3 million currently sitting on the sidelines save some seats that would be the difference between a supermajority — or even a majority?

Dan Forest has made no secret of his desire to be seen as the leader of the NC GOP. But if he uses the state party accounts to hoard resources in a rough election year, it’s doubtful many Republicans will be left to follow him.