(RALEIGH) -- The candidate filing period begins Monday at noon in North Carolina. Candidates for local, and state and congressional offices will be filing paperwork at county and state Board of Election offices between now and February 29.

Ran Coble of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, said the campaigns for all statewide offices are not exactly equal. He said raising money for a gubernatorial campaign will be very different.

"It's a whole different thing to raise several hundred thousand for a legislative race and to raise, let's say, $12 million for a governor's race," said Coble.

The field for governor is very much in play.  The number of Democrats seeking their party's nomination could double with at least three people still contemplating a bid.  It is also not totally clear if another Republican will challenge Pat McCrory in the May 8 primary.