CHARLOTTE -- We're just days away from electing a new mayor in Charlotte and it has not only become a competitive race but an expensive one.

Campaign finance reports released Wednesday track the money raised and spent from August 30 to October 23.

During this cycle, Republican Kenny Smith raised more than $187,000 with almost $48,000 cash on hand. He has raised more than $510,000 this entire election season. Smith has also received donations from Lt. Governor Dan Forest, former Charlotte mayoral candidate Edwin Peacock and even Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Vi Lyles raised nearly $143,000 since the primaries and she has more than $128,000 cash on hand. She has raised more than $422,000 so far this entire election season. Lyles also received donations from former Charlotte mayors Anthony Foxx and Harvey Gantt along with Belk CEO Thomas Belk.

“This is really indicative of how many interest and engagement both locally and nationally this race has generated,” said Dr. Michael Bitzer, Political Science professor at Catawba College.

So far this election cycle, Smith's campaign says they've spent $25,00 on radio ads, $50,000 for mailers, $35-40,000 on phone banking and about $227,500 on TV ad buys.

Lyles' campaign says they've relied heavily on volunteers for phone banking, and got out to vote efforts. They’ve spent some on social media and digital efforts along with  more than $30,000 for radio ads. The report also shows Lyles spend more than $88,000 for consultants.

“But these groups spending this kind of money is really helping to mobilizing and energize the grassroots campaign the true partisans to show up to vote,” said Bitzer.

You can take a look at these finance reports right here 

Vi Lyles -- http://cf.ncsbe.gov/CFOrgLkup/ReportDetail/?RID=150352&TP=EXP

Kenny Smith -- http://cf.ncsbe.gov/CFOrgLkup/ReportDetail/?RID=150339&TP=EXP​