Even the large amounts of money they raise has been enough to warrant news coverage and free media.

Outside groups have also gotten into the act. Raising their own money and pushing certain candidates independently of the campaigns.

But that trend hasn't really settled down to local races. Until now.

In Wendell, three of the seven candidates have raised more than $3,000 to wage their campaign for public office.

A fourth has said he will spend almost that much.

And two political action committees are raising and spending their own money to encourage voters to join their side.

Of course, there's nothing whatsoever illegal about any of this.

But it is disturbing to consider that running for office in Wendell could soon be an opportunity for rich people -- or for middle-income folks willing to make their political beds with the people willing to bankroll their campaigns.

Government at the local level affects people the most directly. Campaigns in our towns should be about ideas, progress and reducing problems.

To be sure, the candidates in the Wendell race have plenty of those ideas. And voters will have a stark choice to make on Election Day.

But we worry that influence of money will corrupt that process. If not in a legal way, then certainly in an ideological way.

In Knightdale and Zebulon, by the way, not a single candidate has said they expect to spend that kind of money.